Punxsutawney Phil, it’s your moment in the sun… or shade! February 2nd is Groundhog Day and whether you’re a fan of this weather-predicting rodent or take more of Bill Murray’s approach to the annual spotlight placed on this famous character, take a minute to bite into some fun facts about this critter.
Toothy Facts
For more than 129 years, tradition has it that if Punxsutawney Phil appears from his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob on February 2nd and doesn’t see his shadow, we will have an early spring. If it’s a sunny Groundhog Day and he sees his shadow, we’re looking at six more weeks of winter. The verdict is out as to how much weight to put in Phil’s forecast as his accuracy over the years is only hovering right around 39%, however.
Working Hard for Healthy Teeth
Groundhogs have two upper and two lower chisel-shaped incisors. Their upper incisors grow at a rate of 1/16 of an inch per WEEK! They need to constantly gnaw, chew and nibble on leaves, grass, and trees to wear down their teeth. These incisors along with their claws help defend them against predators. Their teeth are white and so strong that they can chew through roots and even hardwood in decks and patios.
Thankfully, we humans only need to brush, floss and have routine dental check-ups every six months to keep our teeth in prime shape! If it’s been a while, give us a call at (248) 852-3130 and schedule your next dental check-up today.
