Calendars say February 2 is Groundhog Day, but in Texas, it's really Armadillo Day. At least, that's according to Terry Boothe, a fifth-generation Texan.
Boothe wanted to create a more Texan version of Groundhog Day so in 2010 he introduced Bee Cave Bob at the first Armadillo Day held in Bee Cave, Texas.
“Why don’t we have an armadillo on the news instead of this groundhog from Pennsylvania? We can do it ourselves; hence emerged Bee Cave Bob,” Boothe told Community Impact.
Armadillos are the official small mammal of Texas so it makes sense to pick a local critter to predict the weather.
For the past 10 years, hundred have gathered at Boothe's ranch to see if Texas will have have an early spring or six more weeks of winter. Like Punxsutawney Phil, Bob's prediction depends on if he sees his shadow and hides.
"On Armadillo Day, Bee Cave Bob emerges from a tube on a track set up for the occasion. If the armadillo wanders out of the tube and stays out, an early spring is on is way. If Bob ducks back into the tube, then we have six more weeks of winter coming for Texas," according to Spectrum News Austin.
This year, Bob is avoiding crowds and is spending February 2 at home in Katy, Texas, with his handlers. Boothe canceled the yearly event due to COVID.
Bob did predict there will be an early spring though.
Photo: Getty Images