But Punxsutawney Phil has some stiff competition when it comes to prediction-making groundhogs. In fact, there are several weather prognosticating groundhogs in the United States -- and their predictions don't always agree with Phil's.
Check out these other famous groundhogs:
- In New York, Dunkirk Dave is touted as the world's second-longest predicting groundhog. As Punxsutawney Phil's biggest competitor, Dunkirk Dave has been making predictions for 59 years and has an accuracy rate of over 90 percent, as reported by WBFO.
- New York is also the home of Staten Island Chuck, the state's most pampered groundhog, who makes his prediction outside of his burrow at the Staten Island Zoo. According to SI Live, Chuck doesn't like to be rushed. In 2009, the rascally rodent bit Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, after the mayor tried to hurry the prediction process.
- Just outside of Atlanta, General Beauregard Lee makes his annual Groundhog Day prediction. According to the website of the Yellow River Game Ranch- where this prophetic rodent resides -- the honorary doctorate-earning "Beau" only works on February 2 and emerges from his burrow quarters at his leisure to make his prediction.
- In Ohio, it's Buckeye Chuck, a Marion, OH groundhog who serves as the state's official weather-predicting groundhog. According to Discover Ohio, Chuck checks for his shadow at Clear Channel Marion and spam burgers are served for the occasion.
- Sir Walter Wally is Raleigh, North Carolina's resident groundhog. Wally hails from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and has been predicting the forecast for 15 years, according to a press release for the museum. Sir Walter Wally's weather prediction track record is posted at the State Climate Office of North Carolina.
- And in Alabama, say hello to southern groundhog Birmingham Bill at the Birmingham Zoo. Bill makes his forecast at the zoo's Wildlife Stage. Alabama's other famous groundhog -- the hat-wearing Smith Lake Jake -- also makes an annual prediction, despite an occasional bout of asthma.
