As February 2 rapidly approaches, the question surrounding “Groundhog Day” hovers in the air: Will the groundhog go back to sleep or explore? Will there be an early spring or will winter continue to drag out for another 6 long weeks? It remains to be seen… but on Sunday, February 1, the Birmingham Zoo’s opossum will try her hand at predicting the weather at 10 a.m.
Since the Birmingham Zoo is closed on Mondays (the actual Groundhog Day), they’re celebrating a day early, putting their own spin on this classic tradition. “Instead of waking up our Birmingham Bill groundhog at the Birmingham Zoo, he is going to sleep in,” the zoo staff jokes. “Plus you really don’t want to wake up a sleeping groundhog.” That’s where Jill, the Virginia opossum, comes in. Head to the Birmingham Zoo’s plaza to see Jill’s conclusion, then stick around for photos with her and the zoo keeper. “Our opossum has a great track record on the predictions,” the zoo claims… let’s hope she votes for an early spring (like last year)!
