For this Groundhog Day in the In my opinions section, we asked what people thought infamous Puxatony Phil did the other 364 days of the year after completing the strenuous task of determining whether we will have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. We received some interesting answers to say the least, from running a groundhog secret society to sleeping until February when he emerges for his day in the limelight. What are his days like? Are they the same boring day over and over again like the infamous Bill Murray movie?

Well, Royal Purple decided to consult information from the experts. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was able to provide us with some insight into the curious life of a groundhog. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are actually shy creatures that try to avoid people at all costs. When approached they retreat back to the comfort of their dens, and become aggressive if they are cornered or feel threatened. They spend most of their days feeding on a vegetarian smorgasbord of fruits and green plants and basking in the warm sunlight. They are also home bodies who only venture far from their ground bound homes in search of food or during mating season.  

So after we learn of Puxatony Phil’s long awaited weather prediction, if you’re wondering what he does the rest of year – rest assured he is living his best groundhog life.

For more information about groundhogs, visit https://wildlifedamage.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/289/2020/10/Woodchuck.pdf