AUSTIN (KXAN) — While most of the country turns to a groundhog Feb. 2, Texans rely on a different kind of forecaster, an armadillo named Bee Cave Bob.
Armadillo Day and Bee Cave Bob
Bob has been making predictions in Texas since 2010, when supporters argued that the state’s unique climate didn’t need to rely on a Pennsylvania groundhog to determine the fate of winter. This year, Bob will make his sixteenth prediction, but how much faith should you put in his forecast? Let’s take a look at his stats below.
Looking at his scorecard, Bob scores a solid B+ overall. Accuracy aside, Bee Cave Bob has become a Feb. 2 staple here in Central Texas.
Punxsutawney Phil
Perhaps the most famous weather-predicting groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, is reportedly only about 35% accurate. Nevertheless, he remains the longest-running weather-forecasting groundhog in the United States. Groundhog Day has been celebrated in the United States since at least Feb. 2, 1886, beginning in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The town claims there has been only one Punxsutawney Phil, which would make him nearly 140 years old. This is more than ten times the normal groundhog lifespan of about 14 years. Legend has it that a special elixir is responsible for Phil’s remarkable longevity.
History of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day traces its origins to the historical tradition of Candlemas. This holiday was associated with a superstition that a sunny Candlemas meant the rest of winter would be cold, while an overcast day signaled an early spring.
So, how did groundhogs become part of this tradition? The idea comes from folk beliefs in German and Dutch communities. They thought that seeing animals like bears, badgers or hedgehogs around Candlemas Day was a sign that spring was near. Because these animals hibernate, emerging in early February suggested improving weather. However, if the animal came out and “saw its shadow,” it meant it had awakened too soon, and winter was not yet over.
Armadillos, however, do not hibernate. So, Bee Cave Bob’s weather-predicting abilities are a unique talent, setting him apart from most other armadillos in Texas…