Get to know Canada's most famous groundhogs
Groundhog Day is just around the corner! Time to get acquainted with Canada's premier prognosticators.
Groundhog Day arrives on February 2. On that day, we get to find out if winter will continue for six more weeks.
We will know the official groundhog forecast soon. In the meantime, let's get to know some of Canada's most famous groundhogs.
British Columbia
Van Island Violet lives on Vancouver Island, and her predictions are interpreted by her friends at the by the Marmot Recovery Foundation in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Violet isn't just here to help with the weather forecast: She's also spreading awareness.
While Canada is home to four marmot species, Violet's species, the Vancouver Island Marmot, is the only one that's at risk.
Alberta
In Alberta, we have Balzac Billy, a critter in disguise.
Groundhogs are plentiful in most parts of Canada and the U.S., but they aren't found in southern Alberta, Global News explains, and that is precisely where the community of Balzac is located.
Residents created a workaround with Balzac Billy, a man-sized mascot who has been predicting the spring forecast since the 1970s. He's not even a groundhog: according to the Lethbridge Times Billy is a Richardson's ground squirrel, a common species in this locale.
Manitoba
Manitoba Merv has been leading local Groundhog Day celebrations for over 30 years.
He started as an actor in children's puppet shows at Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre but has since moved on to a Groundhog Day mascot with an impressive track record.
Jacques Bourgeois, who works in marketing and communications for the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre, told CTV in 2019 that Merv has a 98 per cent success rate.
Ontario
Wiarton, Ontario is home to Wiarton Willie, the star of an annual local Groundhog Day festival bearing his name. Willie is apparently the world's only albino prognosticating groundhog.
Québec
Fred la Marmotte has been the headlining act in Val-d'Espoir, Qué., since 2009.
In 2023, however, things took a tragic turn when he was found with no vital signs ahead of the big reveal.
The organizer of the event, Roberto Blondin, announced that the tradition would continue with Fred’s successor, also conveniently named Fred.
Fred is the only groundhog mascot who resides on a UNESCO world heritage site.
Nova Scotia
Shubenacadie Sam is a spectacular prognosticator. According to the park's website, no other groundhogs "have achieved the fame of Shubenacadie Sam, and he stays ready for the big day by "eating a herbivore diet (leafy greens, fruit and alfalfa pellets), and by practicing yoga and meditation."
VIDEO: Why do we listen to the groundhog every year?
Thumbnail image created by Cheryl Santa Maria using elements from Canva Pro.