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Iconic forecasting animals in Texas favored an end to winter for this year’s Groundhog Day, Monday, Feb. 2, contradicting the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil.
Groundhog Day occurs on Feb. 2, the estimated midpoint between the winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day of the year, and the spring equinox, the first official day of spring where day and night are equal. The tradition started in America with the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers who took inspiration from Germanic Europe.
The longest-running and most famous Groundhog Day forecaster is Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phi l. This year, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted six more weeks of winter while thousands gathered to watch and celebrate. However, Bee Cave Bob, Big Al and Beans in Texas all predicted an end to winter.
Bee Cave Bob
Armadillo Bee Cave Bob crawled through a rocky entrance tunnel and did not see his shadow this year in Bee Cave, predicting an end to winter. Professor Al Manac, head of the Lone Star Weatherological Society who manages Bee Cave Bob, addressed an eager crowd of onlookers.
“We’re probably gonna have three more weeks of winter, but nothing really cold,” he said.
According to KXAN, Bee Cave Bob has provided the Groundhog Day forecast since 2010. A group of Texans renamed the holiday Armadillo Day due to not wanting to rely on predictions from Pennsylvania. Last year, Bee Cave Bob also did not see his shadow and predicted early spring.
Beaumont’s Big Al
Big Al, Gator Country’s 94-year-old,13-foot alligator, predicted early spring this year in Beaumont. Big Al’s handlers provide him with a tasty meat meal, and if Big Al eats, spring will arrive soon. The gator usually does not eat during the winter months due to brumation. This year, handlers encouraged him to eat for an early spring by throwing Chick-fil-A in his mouth and stirring up the water around him.
Big Al started predicting Groundhog Day almost two decades ago. In 2025, Big Al predicted a longer winter.
Buda’s Ground Dog Day Beans, Buda’s Dachshund for this year’s Ground Dog Day, predicted an early spring, Sunday, Feb. 1. The small wiener dog rushed out of his doghouse towards two dog toy options: a sun and a snowman. While Beans didn’t make an immediate decision, as shown in Hays Free Press’ video, the city government confirmed the prediction later that day.
Ground Dog Day started last year in 2025 with Nacho predicting a longer winter. The Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce annually selects the honorary dog. The holiday gives tribute to the city being the Wiener Dog Capital of Texas.
