Guinea hogs Penelope and Olivia provided a mixed winter weather prediction today during Guinea Hog Day 2011 at the Houston Zoo.
Penelope and Olivia emerged from the McGovern Children’s Zoo “bat cave” to make their weather prediction by choosing between two spherical objects – one representing six more weeks of winter and the other representing the onset of spring.
Penelope went straight to the beach ball, representing an early spring.
Olivia went for the blue ball, representing six more weeks of winter.
The Houston Zoo celebrated Guinea Hog day instead of Groundhog Day because the Zoo doesn’t have a groundhog. Groundhogs don’t like the hot and humid tropical climate along the southeast Texas Gulf coast. The Zoo believes Penelope and Olivia are naturals for predicting future weather patterns due to their intelligence and adaptability. The Zoo keepers consider all hogs and pigs to be highly intelligent animals and quick learners with a substantial memory.
Originally from the Guinea coast of Africa, Guinea hogs spread to Europe and then the New World where they became a favorite of homesteaders in the American South. Guinea hogs are considered a rare breed today.
Facebook Comments