Punxsutawney Phil is one groundhog that’s achieved the status of becoming a household name. While we don’t always love his weather predictions on Groundhog Day, we can all agree that he’s an icon. Here are some of our favorite fun facts (or, phun phacts) about Phil.

1. Phil Is Over 140 Years Old

And not in groundhog years either. Phil has been prognosticating the weather since 1886, thanks to the specially concocted Elixir of Life he drinks every summer. That’s quite a lengthy history for the little weatherman!

2. Phil Is a Family Man

Phil isn’t the only groundhog that calls Punxutawney, PA, home. He has a wife and two kids! Phil and Phyllis (cute) welcomed two groundhog pups in 2024: Sunny and Shadow. The twins are Phil’s only offspring in his 140+ years of living!

3. Phil Is Very Well-Read

Phil and Phyllis live in downtown Punxutawney at the local library. I wonder if either of them has a Goodreads account.

4. Phil Loves Banana

While he tolerates vegetables like lettuce and carrots, Phil much prefers the sweetness of bananas—his favorite food of the moment. And he’s not the only one! Phyllis and the twins also heartily enjoy bananas.

5. Phil’s Native Tongue Is Groundhogese

Phil (and most other groundhogs) communicates in primarily three ways: whistling, chattering, and purring. Phil also loves to throw in a wink or a nod now and again.

While the typical human has a hard time understanding Groundhogese, the sitting president of the Groundhog Club possesses this distinct ability, which allows him to relay Phil’s Groundhog Day prognostication to the masses every year.