Groundhog Day Prediction Comes Via Hedgehog This Year In Essex County

If you believe in hedgehog power, six more weeks of cold weather are on the way in Essex County.

During Essex County’s annual Groundhog Day event at the Turtle Back Zoo on Tuesday, local animal prognosticator Otis the Hedgehog stood in for Essex Ed, the zoo’s resident groundhog, who went into a deep hibernation because of unusually warm December temperatures.

And yes… Otis saw his shadow.

Otis also performed Ed’s usual Super Bowl prediction, casting his vote in favor of the Carolina Panthers over the Denver Broncos for this year’s big game.

• See related article: Groundhog Day 2016: Did He See His Shadow?

Photo caption: Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr. (right) and Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Education Animal Care Keeper Katy Smith Bower present Otis the Hedgehog.

Photo courtesy of the Essex County Office of Public Information