New Scientist Breaking News - The groundhog wakes, but why did he hibernate?

New Scientist Breaking News - The groundhog wakes, but why did he hibernate?: "The groundhog wakes, but why did he hibernate?

* 14:48 02 February 2006
* NewScientist.com news service
* Roxanne Khamsi

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Each year, on 2 February, North Americans rouse the groundhog from hibernation for clues about how long winter will last. Legend has it that if Punxsutawney Phil – the celebrated groundhog of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania – sees his shadow (because of clear skies), there will be six more weeks of winter, rather than an early spring.

How groundhogs and other animals go into hibernation in the first place is not fully understood, but now researchers have identified a biological pathway that allows mice to enter dormancy."