At 8 a.m. (AST) each February 2nd, Sam becomes the first North American groundhog to predict when spring will arrive.

The average groundhog hibernates for the winter. Sam is no ordinary groundhog. He awakens early to fulfill his duties as a predictor of spring. To ready him for the stresses of the big day, Sam’s handlers tempt him with his favourite foods including broccoli and melons. Groundhog Day in Shubenacadie is an important event, fraught with tension: will spring arrive early or will there be more nasty winter weather? It is a lot of pressure for one small rodent to handle. Sam trains hard for the big event using meditation and yoga to keep himself focused and mentally prepared for the exhausting day.

Enjoy this window into Sam’s world as he and his crew prepare for February 2nd. Sam’s handlers will be interacting with him throughout the day and feedings are at 7:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Follow Sam on twitter @ShubenacadieSam. Keep up-to-date with our website http://wildlifepark.gov.ns.ca and like us on Facebook.