Pocatello’s Marmy the Marmot predicts if winter will be longer or shorter

Pocatello unveiled their latest weather predictor Tuesday morning – Marmy the Marmot.

She is one year old and is a cousin to Puxatawney Phil back east.

Phil recently predicted spring would come early. Tuesday was Marmy’s first prediction and she agreed with Phil. There will be six fewer weeks of winter this season.

The zoo superintendent said marmots are very similar to groundhogs. They’re the same species but marmots are smaller.

The zoo thinks Marmy’s prediction is right because other marmots are already showing signs of spring fever.

“Several of our yellow-bellied marmot friends are already out of hibernation right now so that’s a pretty good predictor of what the weather is going to be like,” said Peter Pruett, Pocatello Zoo superintendent.

Marmy is part of the education and outreach programs at the zoo. She will be out and about visiting the community throughout the year.