Celebrate Hedgehog Day Every February 2
Hedgehog Day is February 2
Did you know? It’s Hedgehog Day!
Yes, we know. It’s also Groundhog Day.
But really they’re the same day. Groundhog Day grew out of Hedgehog Day, which is somehow related to Candlemas (also celebrated on February 2).
Apparently Hedgehog Day dates all the way back to the Romans. They looked to see if a hedgehog saw his shadow in the moonlight. If so, he’d return to his burrow and winter would hold on for six more weeks.
And in Europe the tradition of Candlemas included the belief that a sunny Candlemas meant winter would linger. A cloudy day heralded the arrival of spring.
At some point the Romans brought their beliefs to Europe and the beliefs melded into watching the hedgehog emerge from hibernation during the day. On a sunny day he would see his shadow and there’d be six more weeks of winter.
So Why Must American Be Contrary and Celebrate Groundhogs?
Americans (and Canadians) use the groundhog (most famously Punxsutawney Phil and Wiarton Willie) instead of hedge hogs. Why? Because North America doesn’t have any native hedgehogs.
So do Americans have any reason to celebrate Hedgehog Day instead of (or along with) Groundhog Day?
Absolutely!
Hedgehogs are cute and resourceful. They are covered with stiff, hollow hairs they use to defend themselves. When they sense danger they roll into a ball so that their hairs stick out like spines, causing pain to anyone silly enough to touch.
They have an amazing sense of smell and can find food buried under an inch of soil. They often prefer to travel and look for food at night. That may be why the Romans preferred moonlight over sunlight to check for the hedgehog’s shadow.
And if you need still more reason to celebrate February 2 as Hedgehog Day, it’s also the release date for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, way back in 1994. (Coincidence? Or no?).
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this cute and fun unofficial holiday.
Ideas For Celebrating Hedgehog Day
Of course, in America we’ll still be watching the hedgehog’s substitute, the groundhog, try to predict the weather.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t also celebrate the original predictor of the end of winter.
Learn more about the hedgehog. Start with this short overview from National Geographic. The San Diego Zoo’s Hedgehog page has lots of good information and fun facts.
Did you know people keep hedgehogs as pets? If you think you might be interested, learn more about keeping hedgehogs as pets.
Check out these adorable baby hedgehogs:
Sonic the Hedgehog fans can play the classic game. You can find it to play online at many game sites (they’re not necessarily the “official” version).
[…] Hedgehog Day: Much like the groundhog, the hedgehog can (not) predict how much more winter you’re going to get! And actually the hedgehog weather-critter was the original, letting the Romans know winter would linger if it saw its shadow in the moonlight. But hedgehogs aren’t native to North America, so when settlers here wanted to continue their Hedgehog Day tradition, they turned to the groundhog. But don’t worry about silly weather predictions! Celebrate hedgehogs ’cause they’re cute. […]