Charlotte’s Only Furry Forecaster to Make Live Shadow Check
Groundhog Day at Charlotte Nature Museum Takes Place Thursday, February 2; Shadow Check: 4:30 p.m.
January 30, 2012Charlotte, NC – Will the city’s resident furry forecaster, Queen Charlotte, predict a longer winter when she emerges from her winter quarters – or are balmy days just around the corner? Charlotte’s only live groundhog shadow check takes place at Charlotte Nature Museum’s February Creature Feature event, Groundhog Day, Tuesday, February 2, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., with a shadow check at 4:30 p.m.
Her cousin “Phil” may prevail in Punxsutawney, but our “Queen” reigns supreme when it comes to heralding the spring season in Charlotte. If a groundhog [Marmota monax] sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter lie ahead, and if it does not, spring will arrive soon – or so the fable goes. Meet Queen Charlotte, who will be attended by her “court” – other animals that share traits or shelter with the groundhog – including the striped skunk [Mephitis mephitis], opossum [Didelphis virginiana] and Southern flying squirrel [Glaucomys volans] who will be on-hand throughout the event before the star of the show checks for her shadow at precisely 4:30 p.m. Dig up the story behind the tradition of Groundhog Day and other groundhog facts during this special event.
Did you know that groundhogs, also called marmots or woodchucks, are capable of digging 20-25-foot-long burrows with multiple chambers? Here’s another chilly fact to gnaw on: the cold winter means deep hibernation lasting many months for most groundhogs. The extended inertia results in a low metabolic rate and body temperature drop from about 90° to 40° Fahrenheit, a period during which they take only about one breath per minute.
Little paws can make shadow shapes that resemble their favorite animal in Queen Charlotte’s court, and “The Shadow Knows” Puppet Show will run regularly throughout the event. Special stories will include “Go to Sleep, Little Groundhog” by Claude Clement, “Wake Up. Groundhog!” by Susan Karman, and “Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather” by Bruce Koscielniek
Creature Features, supported by The Guild of Discovery Place and Charlotte Nature Museum, are monthly special events and include crafts, puppet shows, storytelling and refreshments. Creature Feature activities are free with Museum admission. Admission: $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two and Members are free. Parking is free.
Charlotte Nature Museum is located at 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte. Hours are: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:00 p.m.; and closed on Monday.
Charlotte Nature Museum offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and walk among free-flying butterflies in Butterfly Pavilion, observe live animals in Creature Cavern, buzz by Insect Alley or just hang out in Our Big Backyard. Visitors can learn together during workshops, summer camps and more. Daily programming including hands-on activities provide the opportunity for structured learning and informal play for kids of all ages. Charlotte Nature Museum is operated by Discovery Place, Inc.
###
