Groundhog Day Traditions

• Question 1 out of 10

  When is Groundhog Day celebrated each year?

  Groundhog Day always falls on February 2, about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. This timing comes from ancient European seasonal festivals marking the midpoint of winter — long before groundhogs got the job of weather forecaster!

  January 1

  January 15

  February 2

  February 14

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• Question 2 out of 10

  What does it mean if the groundhog sees its shadow?

  According to folklore, a sunny day causes the groundhog to see its shadow and retreat underground, signaling six more weeks of winter. Ironically, meteorologists note sunny winter days often happen during colder weather systems, so the legend accidentally lines up with science sometimes.

  Spring will come early

  Winter will end immediately

  Six more weeks of winter

  Summer starts soon

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• Question 3 out of 10

  What happens if the groundhog does NOT see its shadow?

  A cloudy day means no shadow, which folklore says predicts an early spring.

  Winter doubles in length

  Spring will arrive early

  It will snow that day

  Summer begins

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• Question 4 out of 10

  Which famous groundhog lives in Pennsylvania?

  Punxsutawney Phil has been making predictions since 1887. Legend claims he’s the same groundhog thanks to a magical “groundhog punch” that keeps him alive — meaning Phil would now be over 130 years old!

  Chuck the Hog

  Winter Willie

  Punxsutawney Phil

  Snowball Sam

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• Question 5 out of 10

  What kind of animal is a groundhog?

  Groundhogs are one of the largest members of the squirrel family. They’re excellent diggers and can move hundreds of pounds of dirt when building burrows.

  A type of rabbit

  A small bear

  A rodent

  A badger

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• Question 6 out of 10

  What is another common name for a groundhog?

  The name “woodchuck” comes from a Native American word, not from chucking wood. And despite the famous tongue twister, woodchucks don’t chuck wood.

  Prairie dog

  Woodchuck

  Field mole

  Burrow hog

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• Question 7 out of 10

  Who starred as the lead character in the movie Groundhog Day?

  Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a weatherman stuck reliving the same day. Fans have calculated he may have spent decades trapped in the time loop, mastering skills like piano, ice sculpting, and speaking French.

  Tom Hanks

  Bill Murray

  Chevy Chase

  Steve Martin

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• Question 8 out of 10

  Groundhog Day traditions in America are based on customs brought by settlers from which country?

  German settlers brought a tradition called Candlemas Day, where animals like badgers or hedgehogs predicted the weather. When they arrived in Pennsylvania, they switched to groundhogs since hedgehogs weren’t available.

  France

  Sweden

  England

  Germany

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• Question 9 out of 10

  What time is Phil’s prediction traditionally announced in Punxsutawney?

  Crowds gather before dawn at Gobbler’s Knob to hear Phil’s forecast at sunrise. Some fans camp out overnight in freezing temperatures just to witness the prediction live.

  Midnight

  Noon

  Sunrise

  Sunset

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• Question 10 out of 10

  Groundhogs spend much of the winter doing what?

  Groundhogs are true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from about 80 beats per minute to as low as 5. They survive winter entirely on stored body fat until spring arrives.

  Traveling south

  Hibernating

  Building nests

  Hunting

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