Is the groundhog a Scot?

[Wompet]

Exactly. The Germans in the old country used a badger, and then later a groundhog here in the US. Other sources note that hibernating bears and wolves were also used as "weather detectors".

T.

I thought that the English based their folklore on the hedgehog. The hedgehog, being an insectivore, would become more active with the onset of warmer weather (because its food would be more active too). So if you saw a hedgehog, Spring was coming.

Chipmunks and woodchucks, being true hibernators, are somewhat good indicators. Hadn't heard wolves before - doesn't make sense from a biological standpoint, as wolves aren't even false hibernators.