Who is the Groundhog, Exactly? The Quirky History of Punxsutawney Phil

Groundhog Day is one of America’s quirkiest and least understood holidays, centering around a namesake mammal who “predicts” how much longer the winter temperatures will persist based on the presence of his shadow — or lack thereof. But who exactly is the groundhog? Here’s everything you need to know about the mascot behind this unusual tradition, including other notable animals featured across the country to help predict spring’s arrival each year.