February 2nd marks the annual celebration of Groundhog Day, where legend has it that my favorite rodent, the groundhog, rouses from his long winter sleep to peek out of his underground den. If he sees his shadow - six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't - then spring is on the way!
Even though groundhogs can't really predict the seasons, Americans have celebrated this time-honored tradition since 1886. Fortunately, this year you don’t have to travel to Gobbler’s Knob to see Punxsutawney Phil. Instead, you can have a hog-tastic time right here at the museum on Sunday, February 1, 2009 and see our very own “Lake Erie Eddie” in his debut Groundhog Day celebration.
I decided to enlist Eddie, our one and a half year old orphaned groundhog for his first official Groundhog Day. The plan is to have Eddie come out from behind the stage…wait a minute, I can’t tell you what he will be doing, you have to come and see for yourself!
In preparation, I have been training Eddie, and after a small experiment I discovered Eddie’s favorite food; bananas. I use bananas and peanuts to reinforce him when he does a behavior correctly. The problem was bananas are REALLY messy when being fed to a groundhog, not to mention he takes a long time to eat them. Instead, I use dried banana chips and boy does he love them! Eddie is particularly interested in learning. He knows when the kennel comes out in the afternoon that he is going to the auditorium for a training session. Even though groundhogs are not the swiftest of critters, there is a bounce to his step in anticipation of the ultimate enrichment. Stage fright does not appear to be a problem for Eddie as he likes to show off how well he does at a number of behaviors. Eddie will follow his trainer, touch a target pole, sit up, wave, and climb on a tree stump.
In addition to Eddie's performance, there will lots of other cool things to do - crafts, demonstrations, and the Hibernator's Hall of Fame!
So, be sure to come out and meet Eddie, learn some fun things, and have a good time doing it on Sunday February 1, 2009 from 12-4. Free with museum admission.
Robyn Kaltenbach, Senior Wildlife Specialist
Even though groundhogs can't really predict the seasons, Americans have celebrated this time-honored tradition since 1886. Fortunately, this year you don’t have to travel to Gobbler’s Knob to see Punxsutawney Phil. Instead, you can have a hog-tastic time right here at the museum on Sunday, February 1, 2009 and see our very own “Lake Erie Eddie” in his debut Groundhog Day celebration.
I decided to enlist Eddie, our one and a half year old orphaned groundhog for his first official Groundhog Day. The plan is to have Eddie come out from behind the stage…wait a minute, I can’t tell you what he will be doing, you have to come and see for yourself!
In preparation, I have been training Eddie, and after a small experiment I discovered Eddie’s favorite food; bananas. I use bananas and peanuts to reinforce him when he does a behavior correctly. The problem was bananas are REALLY messy when being fed to a groundhog, not to mention he takes a long time to eat them. Instead, I use dried banana chips and boy does he love them! Eddie is particularly interested in learning. He knows when the kennel comes out in the afternoon that he is going to the auditorium for a training session. Even though groundhogs are not the swiftest of critters, there is a bounce to his step in anticipation of the ultimate enrichment. Stage fright does not appear to be a problem for Eddie as he likes to show off how well he does at a number of behaviors. Eddie will follow his trainer, touch a target pole, sit up, wave, and climb on a tree stump.
In addition to Eddie's performance, there will lots of other cool things to do - crafts, demonstrations, and the Hibernator's Hall of Fame!
So, be sure to come out and meet Eddie, learn some fun things, and have a good time doing it on Sunday February 1, 2009 from 12-4. Free with museum admission.
Robyn Kaltenbach, Senior Wildlife Specialist
