Groundhog Day 2023 – Van Isle Violet reveals her prediction
Inside the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Recovery Centre, a sleepy Vancouver Island Violet (“Van Isle Violet”) has predicted six more weeks of winter. Examined early this morning by Veterinarian Malcolm McAdie, Van Isle Violet stirred faintly out torpor, saw her shadow briefly, and promptly returned to hibernation.
Groundhog Day Hype – Are you ready?
The Prediction
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are Van Isle Violet’s qualifications to deliver a Groundhog Day prediction?
A: Violet is a certified Groundhog. While she is a Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis), “Groundhog” and “Marmot” are common names for members of the genus Marmota – most typically applied to New World members of the genus. Other “Groundhogs” include members of the Marmota monax species (e.g. Wiarton Willie, Punxsutawney Phil). Alberta’s Balzac Billy is a Richardson Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus richardsonii) – a member of the same Squirrel family as M. vancouverensis and M. monax, but a different genus.
Q: How accurate have Van Isle Violet’s predications been?
A: Van Isle Violet predictions have been at least 100% accurate. She assumed Groundhog Day duties in 2022 when she predicted six more weeks of winter. We were still skiing on Father’s Day 19 weeks later last year, arguably making Violet 300% correct. Beat that weather models!
Q: How are the Vancouver Island Marmots doing?
A: Currently, Vancouver Island Marmots are in the middle of their hibernation cycle. Last year was difficult, especially for young marmots. An extremely heavy late spring snowpack (see above) covered the marmots’ typical foods of grasses and vegetation, and may have impaired their ability to recover body condition following hibernation. Adult and sub-adult survival was good, but very few pups were seen. The observed wild population fell to approximately 210 marmots (251 in 2021), primarily reflecting the decline in pups (73 in 2021 vs 27 in 2023).
Difficult years are to be expected when working with any wildlife population, and our spirits are buoyed by the resilience the adult population showed in the face of extreme weather conditions.
Q: Why do you give the marmots health exams during hibernation?
A: During hibernation, marmots live off stored body fat and will be losing weight. Excessive weight loss can indicate a health problem or that nest box partners are disturbing their hibernation. In either case some intervention may be needed.