Punxsutawney Phil is simultaneously one of the most loved and hated animal celebrities in the world. He's adorable and the tradition is amazing, but, according to who you ask, he's a filthy liar.
No matter what our beefs with Punxsutawney Phil may be, he's never going to see them. He has his own problems, and apparently, he's been trying to start a family. On Wednesday, March 27th, it was announced that the beloved animal/public enemy has become a father:
Listen, as a New Englander who had already put away all of the snow stuff this year before getting hit with 7" of snow, Punxsutawney Phil and I have problems. But still, congratulations!
Related: 5 Groundhogs to Watch (Besides Punxsatawney Phil)
Punxsutawney Phil has been around since 1886, and he apparently has a 100% accuracy rating. In this 137 years of being alive, Phil and his wife, Phyliss, have never had babies - until now. Yesterday, they welcomed two babies whose names have not yet been announced. The babies and their famous parents are already doing well, and Phil, Phyliss, and their pups (also referred to as cubs or kits) are accepting visitors! If you live close to the Punxsutawney Memorial Library, it's worth stopping by!
Groundhogs have a gestation period of about a month, and they weigh only about an ounce at birth. Once they're in this world, they grow like weeds and reach their adult size in just a year. After a few months, the kits may be separated from their parents to avoid aggression.
Is Punxsutawney Phil Really 137 Years Old?
The answer to this question depends on if you love joy and magic and fun. If so, yes, Punxsutawney Phil is 137 years old: there has never been a different one, and if anyone says so, they're just being fooled by an imposter. Phil's Inner Circle says that Phil lives forever thanks to a special magic elixir: he takes a sip of it every summer and keeps living. Phyliss does not get to drink this magic elixir, however, and won't live forever. Seems unfair to me!
Realistically, there have been many Punxsutawney Phils since the beginning of this tradition in 1886. Male groundhogs live an average of 7 years, so science would say that there have been roughly 23 Phils. Luckily, groundhogs all look alike, and it wouldn't be hard to swap old Phil out for a fresh one.
But that's not nearly as magical as an old groundhog who cares a lot about the weather, is it?
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