The rascally marmot

In 2009, then Governor Sarah Palin signed a bill declaring February 2 as “Marmot Day” in Alaska.

The sponsors of the bill in the State Legislature, made the incorrect assumption that Alaska did not have groundhogs.

The folks in Juneau always forget about the Interior.

Groundhogs, or woodchucks, are found throughout the Tanana River Valley, including the Fairbanks area. In fact, groundhogs certainly predate European Americans in Alaska.

Remember the old saying: “If a hoary marmot sees it’s shadow on February 2nd, all hell has broke loose, because the little rodent should still be hibernating!”

Happy Marmot Day!