America's weather oracle

Groundhog Phil has become a dad for the first time

Marmot Phil has become dad to two babies.(Bild: AP)

Groundhog Phil, America's famous weather oracle, has become a dad for the first time. His companion Phyllis gave birth to two healthy marmot babies. The "Groundhog Club", where the family lives, is completely surprised, but is now working on a larger home for the rodents.

"We didn't think this could happen in captivity, because it never has," the president of the Groundhog Club, Thomas Dunkel, told local station WTAJ. The four rodents live in the small town of Punxsutawney (US state of Pennsylvania).

Here you can see the marmot's offspring.

As "Punxsutawney Phil", the new marmot father is especially in demand on February 2, when he gives a forecast for the weather (see video above). To do this, he is lured out of his winter quarters at sunrise. If the animal then sees its shadow, six more harsh weeks of winter follow. If it doesn't see one, spring is near. That was the case this year.

A.J. Dereume from the "Groundhog Club" with the rodent(Bild: AP)

Groundhog Phil(Bild: AP)

Atradition for 138 years
The tradition has been known to the rest of the world since the 1993 US comedy "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray. The custom was probably brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants, and this year marks the 138th "Groundhog Day" in Punxsutawney.

The little groundhogs will probably not follow their father in this tradition. According to Dunkel, Phil is given an "elixir of life" to drink, which explains his longevity. His partner has not tasted it.