Officials in a forest preserve district in DuPage County, Ill., say the tradition of waking groundhogs for Groundhog Day interrupts the animal's hibernation.
DuPage County Forest Preserve District animal ecologist Dan Thompson said while waking groundhogs from their hibernation has become a major tradition on Feb. 2, such efforts can actually put the animals' lives at risk, the Chicago Tribune said Sunday.
"During hibernation, a groundhog's heartbeat, metabolism and respiration slow," Thompson said, "allowing it to live on its body fat. If a groundhog is awakened from hibernation too early, it might not have the energy to find food and survive in cold winter temperatures."
Some Midwest tourist attractions like the St. Louis Zoo also do not indulge in the Groundhog Day tradition, which legend suggests can offer a prediction about the length of winter.
"The fact that we're not having a Groundhog Day celebration is not really a stand we're taking so much as it is that we have a really cranky groundhog who doesn't like to be woken up," St. Louis Zoo public relations director Janet Powell told the Tribune.
SO FOR HEAVENS SAKE LET THE ANIMAL SLEEP AND CHECK YOU FARMERS ALMANAC!!!!
5 comments:
I've always thought that Groundhog Day was lame. Where I live, no matter what happens, there WILL be, at least, 6 more weeks of winter following Feb 2nd.
YEP, PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL, IS NEVER RIGHT. I ALSO DID NOT KNOW THEY WOKE UP ANY OTHER GROUND HOGS OTHER THAN PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL OF PENNSYLVANIA. MY HUSBAND IS NOT FOND OF PHIL OR ANY OF HIS CLOSEST RELATIVES, WHO COME TO VISIT HIS PLANTS WHEN THEY ARE VERY YOUNG. THEY HAVE BEEN KNOW TO MOW A ROW OF 100 FT. ONE NIGHT. (THEY ESPICALLY LIKE BEANS AND PEAS) WHEN THEY FINISH ONE ROW THEY MOVE ON TO THE NEXT, AND SO ON. :)
It's such a bizarre "holiday." Why did it start? Who started it? And like tshsmom says, really, no matter what, there WILL be 6 more weeks of winter. Knowing that, why bother the poor animal in the first place? Whoever heard of Spring starting in February, ever?
Talk about "cruelty to animals"....They shpuld really stop doing this! It is truly cruel to my way of thinking, and I agree with you..check The Farmer's Almanac!
Right on! Groundhog Day is the legacy of Candelmas which,among other things, celebrated the day candles were consecrated. However, it oddly coincides with Valentines Day in some cultures, and should be viewed as simply a day to look forward to spring growth and greening. The real key to both holidays is the fact that by now we are already getting a whopping 10 hours of sunlight! Great work as ever Marilyn.
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