groundhog
February shadow seeker
A groundhog is a stocky North American rodent that burrows in the ground, also called a woodchuck.
Groundhogs hibernate through winter, emerging in early spring.
In American folklore, Groundhog Day (February 2) holds that if a groundhog sees its shadow upon emerging, six more weeks of winter follow.
North American burrowing marmot
- marmotLarge burrowing ground squirrel
- rodentGnawing mammal order
- furAnimal body hair
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
burrowing · gnawing · vertebrate · quadruped · wildlife · foraging · omnivore · diurnal
Bushy-tailed tree rodent
- chipmunkStriped burrowing rodent
- marmotLarge burrowing ground squirrel
- prairie dogColonial burrowing grassland rodent
- gopherBurrowing North American rodent
beaver · porcupine · vole · muskrat · lemming · capybara · dormouse · woodrat
Light blocked by object
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- prognosticationForetelling future events
- omenProphetic indicator
early spring · superstition · legend · prophecy · harbinger · presage · foretelling · almanac
Enclosed underground route
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- denPrivate room or lair
- excavateRemove earth systematically
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
chamber · dig · soil · dirt · warren · hole · earthwork · subterranean
Prolonged winter dormancy
- FebruarySecond month, often shortest
- coldLow temperature state
- snowFrozen crystalline precipitation
- frostThin ice coating
dormancy · burrow · emergence · sleep · torpor · fat reserves · den
Celebrated marmot meteorologist
- PennsylvaniaNortheastern founding colony state
- February 2ndWoodchuck's weather prediction day
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
folklore · annual event · celebration · festivities · tourism · spectacle · top hat · handler
Grassy field for grazing
- pastureGrazing ground for livestock
- fieldArea of specialty
- grasslandTreeless herb-covered ecosystem
- woodland edgeBorder of forested area
farmland · vegetation · grazing · clearing · hedgerow · thicket · embankment
woodchuck
North American burrowing marmot
hibernation · burrowing · gnawing · vertebrate · quadruped · wildlife · foraging · omnivore · diurnal · territorial
squirrel
Bushy-tailed tree rodent
- chipmunkStriped burrowing rodent
- marmotLarge burrowing ground squirrel
- prairie dogColonial burrowing grassland rodent
gopher · beaver · porcupine · vole · muskrat · lemming · capybara · dormouse · woodrat
shadow
Light blocked by object
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- springRecoiling metal spiral
- prognosticationForetelling future events
omen · early spring · superstition · legend · prophecy · harbinger · presage · foretelling · almanac
tunnel
Enclosed underground route
underground · chamber · dig · soil · dirt · warren · hole · earthwork · subterranean · nest
hibernation
Prolonged winter dormancy
frost · dormancy · burrow · emergence · sleep · torpor · fat reserves · den
Punxsutawney Phil
Celebrated marmot meteorologist
- PennsylvaniaNortheastern founding colony state
- February 2ndWoodchuck's weather prediction day
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
tradition · folklore · annual event · celebration · festivities · tourism · spectacle · top hat · handler
meadow
Grassy field for grazing
woodland edge · farmland · vegetation · grazing · clearing · hedgerow · thicket · embankment
- hibernatorswoodchuck, chipmunk, black bear, brown bear, grizzly bear
- marmotsmarmot, woodchuck
- North American Naturebald eagle, American bison, bison, grizzly bear, raccoon
- American Wildliferaccoon, bison, bald eagle, grizzly bear, beaver
- Burrowersaardvark, aardvarks, badger, badgers, gopher
- furry mammalsbeaver, chinchilla, fox, mink, otter
groundhogseabird
Ocean-dwelling winged creature
albatross · sea otter · seal · penguin · hummingbird
groundhogmigratory bird
Species that relocates seasonally
arctic tern · monarch butterfly · caribou · wildebeest · salmon
- Groundhog DayMarmot weather prediction tradition