LONE STAR LEGENDS
With Groundhog Day coming Monday, Feb. 2, Texans are not to be outdone by Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil. Texas boasts not one, but two, critters that predict the seasons.
Around the Hill Country there’s Bee Cave Bob, a nine banded Armadillo who does his predicting on a ranch near Austin.
According to the legend, if Bob has a great time soaking up the sun, it means we’re in for an early spring! But if he decides to head back toward the shadows, get ready for six more weeks of winter. Additionally, the legend says that the direction he walks can predict the political climate of the year.
Last year Bob predicted an early spring.
Since Texas is bigger and better, there’s another critter that says he can predict springtime. It’s Big Al, a 90-plus-year-old alligator in Beaumont.
According to website Groundhog-day.com, Big Al is a 1,000 pound, 13.4-foot alligator prognosticator.
Owner Gary Saurage offers the gator a chicken breast every Feb. 2 and, if Big Al chows down, winter’s over.
”If this alligator eats, that means we are done with winter. If he doesn’t, don’t bring your swimsuits out yet.”
Last year Al predicted a long winter.
So, Texans will have to patiently wait to see what the critters say about the Texas spring of 2026.
