Darwin at work?

Female intuition key to correct weather prognostications by Michigan groundhog
Canadian Press
HOWELL, Mich. (AP) - Woody has something most other prognosticating groundhogs don’t.

Female intuition.

Although other groundhogs, like Ontario’s Wiarton Willie and Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, might be more established. But Woody has a pretty good track record.

She has correctly predicted when spring would arrive six out of eight years.

Why is she so successful?

She relies on her stomach, said Richard Grant, executive director of the Howell Conference and Nature Center. Grant said groundhogs eat a lot before the winter, but don’t consume much during the colder months.

So, on Friday, if Woody comes out of her home and eats any of the food placed in front of her and stays out for at least 30 seconds, then spring is coming soon. If not, we’re in for another six weeks of winter.

Grant said science proves that Woody’s sex is an advantage.

Female groundhogs “have a whole lot more responsibility,” he said, including motherhood. “What do male groundhogs do? They mate . . . and then they get hit by cars.”