Animals That Can Predict the Weather

badger

Groundhog Day as it is known in North America originated from Candlemas, a Christian holiday that falls on February 2. The Germans eventually began to put their own spin on the holiday, becoming a day to herald the beginning of spring: If a badger saw its shadow on a sunny day, it meant winter wasn't over yet. When they came to America, they traded badgers for the easier-to-find groundhogs.

Bear

Badgers weren't the only animals that Europeans used to predict the coming of spring. Bears were also believed to appear on February 2. If a bear saw its shadow, it would return to its den and hibernate again, as this meant that winter would last at least another month. When European settlers brought this tradition to Canada, they initially chose to use bears instead of moles as harbingers of the coming weather.

Woolly Bear Caterpillar

The next time you see a woolly bear caterpillar (often called a woolly worm in the southern United States) crawling around your yard in the fall, take a close look at its color. Legend has it that if you spot an insect with long black bands, it means you'll be experiencing a long period of snow and cold. Conversely, a caterpillar with a more rusty color indicates a milder winter. In fact, the markings of a woolly bear caterpillar indicate its age: Less black means it's older.

Mole

Grab your measuring tape and head to the nearest mole hole. According to a legend in The Farmers' Almanac, ' If the mole digs a hole 30 inches deep, be prepared for harsh weather; if 24 inches deep, not too harsh; if 12 inches deep, a mild winter. '

Squirrel

Folklore says that if squirrels build their nests high up in a tree, it means the colder months will be especially harsh. Take a close look at their tails, too: The bushier they are, the worse the winter is supposed to be.

Dragonfly

Dragonflies fly low, it rains. Fly high, it's sunny. Fly medium, it's cloudy .

This is a famous proverb and is very familiar to Vietnamese people. This saying was born from the experience of our ancestors when observing dragonflies and the changes in the weather. In general, dragonflies' weather predictions are quite accurate.