Randy Wisthoff, CEO/Executive Director of the Kansas City Zoo, reports Spike saw his shadow; six more weeks of winter. But Nikita is lovin’ the snow! The Kansas City Zoo will be open tomorrow with clean pathways – come see Nikita frolic in this Kansas City snow.
Spike the Hedgehog is one of the Zoo’s Education Ambassadors. He is appeared from his “hibernation” to celebrate Groundhog Day.
Why the hedgehog? It is believed that the early Romans observed Hedgehog Day. If its shadow was seen it was predicted that six more weeks of bad winter weather would occur, a second winter. When the tradition moved to North America, Groundhog Day was named since hedgehogs were not a native species.
NOTE from the Zoo: Today, February 2, 2011 the Kansas City Zoo is closed to public. We will reopen tomorrow after we have all the pathways clean and clear for a perfect Zoo-Thursday!
Call (816) 513-5800, or visit our web site www.kansascityzoo.org for more information.