February 2, 2023
Move over groundhog, it’s Armadillo Day
Texas is known for its independent spirit. In the battle of four-legged forecasters, Texas yields to no one. “We don’t need no mangy groundhog in Pennsylvania predicting weather for us,” Terry Boothe, a fifth-generation Texan and Bob’s biggest fan, told reporters last year. While much of the country celebrates Groundhog Day on February 2 with Punxsutawney Phil, Texas celebrates Armadillo Day with Bee Cave Bob.
Bob is a native of Bee Cave, Texas. Located in Texas Hill Country, outside of Austin, Bee Cave was declared by the Texas Legislature the “geographical west pole” of the globe in 2007.
The origin of Whatever-You-Want-To-Call-It Day is rooted in Europe several centuries ago, with mainly badgers in the starring role. German-speaking immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania. Finding no badgers, in the 1880s they made the groundhog their go-to animal for winter weather wisdom.
Procedure
For the 12th year in a row, Bee Cave Bob will decide whether there will be an early spring or a long winter for the Lone Star State.
On Groundhog, er, Armadillo Day, Bob is taken outside to fulfill his duty. If it is a clear day and he casts a shadow, the legend says there will be six more weeks of winter. A cloudy day means no shadow … and an early spring.
Results
Neither Bee Cave Bob nor Punxsutawny Phil, however, has a great track record. Both are said to be wrong more often than right, but it is a tough call since there is no clear answer as to when winter ends and spring begins.
In the last five years, Bob has never predicted six more weeks of winter for Texas, while Phil has predicted the extended winter three times in the last five years.
Let’s see what this year bring:
2023: Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter
2023: Bee Cave Bob predicts an early spring
Armadillos Cool Facts
- “Armadillo” is Spanish for “little armored one.” Of the 20 species, only one — the nine-banded armadillo — is native to the United States. Bands are movable sections of the mammal’s hard shell.
- Nine-banded armadillos grow to about 30 inches long, with an average weight of 12 pounds. Other armadillo species range from 3 inches to 5 feet. Armadillos can live up to 30 years in the wild.
- Armadillos mainly eat insects. They have strong claws and can dig burrows 20 feet long, in which they sleep up to 16 hours a day.
- When threatened, smaller armadillos roll up in a ball and play dead. Larger ones can jump four feet high when scared or surprised.
- Armadillos can hold their breath for up to six minutes.
- In water, armadillos can walk underwater or float on the surface.
- Nine-banded armadillos have litters of four identical pups. Quadruplets!