Forget Punxsutawney Phil: FL Animals Make Groundhog Day Predictions

FLORIDA — Each year on Groundhog Day, all eyes are on Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania to see the weather-predicting groundhog forecast when winter will end. If the large rodent sees his shadow, then, supposedly, winter will last another six weeks; if he doesn’t, then spring will come early.

While Phil is the most famous animal weather prognosticator in the U.S., a handful of Florida cities have their own critters who predict the length of the winter season.

In Cape Coral, residents celebrate Ground Owl Day on Feb. 2. During this event, which takes place this year from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Pelican Baseball Complex, the city’s official bird, the burrowing owl, takes center stage, according to the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife.

Similar to Phil, Athene the burrowing owl mascot will determine how much longer winter lasts. If she sees her shadow, it could signal the start of spring, the organization said.

“We are excited to bring the community together for this special event, which highlights the beauty of our local wildlife and the importance of preserving it for future generations,” said Judy Mitchell, president of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife.

In Marathon, Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters hosts Ground Conch Day on Sunday, 7 to 8:30 a.m.

“Will there be (six) more weeks of winter or an early spring? Come by Ground Conch Day at Aquarium Encounters and see for yourself,” the aquarium wrote on its Facebook event page.

This free event offers live music, mimosas, and free snacks and coffee.

The Key West conch that will star at the event lives in a “touch tank” at the aquarium, according to GulfLive.com. The mollusk is a cultural icon of the Florida Keys.

Last year, the conch saw its shadow - though Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his — predicting another six weeks of winter.

“Of course, our winter in the Florida Keys … 75 degrees average high temperature,” Ben Daughtry, then president of the aquarium, told Fla-Keys.com last year. “I’m not so sure what it’s like up north.”

In the Panhandle, the Gulf Breeze Zoo celebrates Kenya Day on Feb. 2.

“Groundhog Day is now Giraffe Day! Who needs Punxsutawney Phil to predict whether we're in for six more weeks of winter when you can have a 15-foot-tall giraffe make the prediction?” the zoo wrote on its website.

At 9:30 a.m., by the giraffe enclosures, resident giraffe Kenya will outshine her world-famous weather-prognosticating counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, by not only predicting whether there will be six more weeks of winter, but also predicting the winner of the upcoming Super Bowl,” the zoo said.

The ceremony will be livestreamed on the Gulf Breeze Zoo Facebook page.