PUNXSUTAWNEY Phil is arguably the most famous groundhog in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, if not the world.
Every year, Phil emerges at Gobbler's Knob on Groundhog's Day, February 2, to predict an early spring or six additional weeks of winter weather.
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Is Punxsutawney Phil a father?
For the first time since 2020, on February 2, 2024, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which, according to legend, indicates an early spring.
While Phil normally "retires" to normal life for the remainder of the year following his prediction at the infamous Groundhog Day festival, 2024 had some more events in store for the iconic figure.
Less than two months later, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Groundhog Club announced that Phil and his wife, Phyllis, welcomed two healthy baby groundhogs.
"We have Babies!!" the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club announced on their Instagram.
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The duo were born on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
"The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club is very excited to announce that Phil and Phyllis have given birth to two healthy baby Groundhogs!"
Baby groundhogs, also called kits, pups, or cubs, grow up relatively fast, becoming independent after about three months.
"The babies are currently in with mom and dad at the zoo that is located at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library, and can be viewed thru the viewing window!"
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Their names are still unknown, but both baby groundhogs are doing well and adjusting to their new lives with Phil and Phyllis.
Thomas Dunkel, president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle, said the new additions came as a huge surprise to the club.
“We did not think that this would happen in captivity because it never has,” Dunkel said, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“But apparently, we were wrong.”
The Groundhog Club also posted a short video of the two baby groundhogs cuddling near their parents.
"Our excitement continues with a short video of our new arrivals!"
"Phil and Phyllis were not far from these little ones in our zoo, just happen to be there at the right time to get a great peek at our little cuties," they captioned the post.
Dunkel also told the public that both parents, especially Phil, are ecstatic about the new additions to their family.
“I talked to Phil with the use of my cane that lets me speak Groundhogease and Phil could not be more excited to have started a family,” Dunkel said, as reported by ABC 27 News.
How old is the famed Punxsutawney Phil groundhog?
The average groundhog lives four to six years in the wild and up to 14 years in captivity.
Punxsutawney Phil, however, is unique.
According to the Groundhog Club, Phil is around 138 years old.
He made his debut, and original weather prediction, back in 1886, during Pennsylvania's first Groundhog Day.
Phil reportedly stays young by drinking the "elixir of life," a special groundhog punch, every fall during the club's annual Groundhog Picnic.
The elixir supposedly adds up to seven years to his already lengthy lifespan.
"He's besides himself," Dunkel said, as reported by CBS News.
"He's 138 years old and never had a child so he picked late in life to start a family."
Still, despite their famous dad, neither of the two baby groundhogs will inherit their father's famous "seeing" abilities.
According to Dunkel and the Groundhog Club, that's because there can only be one Punxsutawney Phil.
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Who is Punxsutawney Phil's baby mama, Phyllis?
Punxsutawney Phil may have an important job every year, but he's also been able to carve out some time in his schedule for a personal life.
Phil has a wife, Phyllis, who has now also become the mother of his two children.
Tragically, Phyllis is not allowed to drink the "elixir of life" like her husband, and so, unlike Phil, does not have immortality.
According to the Groundhog Club, Phyllis has been an integral part of Phil's life for years.
When he's not making appearances or attending public events, Phil can be found spending time with Phyllis in their manmade burrow.
Dunkel says that a groundhog club member discovered the new additions during a routine feeding visit to Phyllis' climate-controlled burrow.
"When we went in to feed them their fresh fruits and vegetables, we found Phyllis with two little baby groundhogs," Dunkel said, as CBS News reported.
"It was very unexpected, we had no idea that she was pregnant," he added.
As for the baby groundhogs' names, Dunkel says the parents are still figuring those out.
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Phil "says as soon as they figure that out he will let us know and then we will let the world know," Dunkel said.
"It's fun and it's such good news and fun news in times when we are getting a lot of bad news so we are happy that this is unfolding for Phil and Phyllis," Dunkel added.
