Is spring in sight?

On Friday, people will look to groundhogs in various U.S. and Canadian locations, the most famous being Punxsutawney, Pa., for a prediction about when spring will arrive: The critter in question will be scared back into its den if it sees its shadow, and spring will have to wait a few more weeks.

We turned to a local groundhog look-alike to speculate about our region, which has pingponged between record-setting cold and warm over the past few weeks. Will spring arrive early?  Is it already here? Magnus the yellow-bellied marmot offered answers from his home among the rocks on the Lewiston Levee Parkway Trail.

Incidentally, a blog post on the Library of Congress website, “Groundhog Day: Ancient Origins of a Modern Celebration,” includes a solid history of the tradition at bit.ly/LOCgroundhog, if you’re looking for more about these oddly influential mammals.

Inland 360: Let’s get right to it: What’s your gut when it comes to Friday’s prediction?

Magnus the yellow-bellied marmot: If you’re leaving it up to Phil, you’re likely looking at a longer winter. I’m not calling him a coward, but let’s just say Phil’s headed straight back into his den at the hint of a shadow (or loud noise, or dog or funny smell).

Now, if you’re asking me to be your predictor, you’ve got a better chance of seeing spring soon. Contrary to my name, I’m no fraidy-cat, and it’ll take something more than a shadow to send me back into hibernation. That said, I’m not sticking around if you’re zipping around the levee path on your e-bike. Those things are terrifying.

360: Do you envy Phil getting all this attention every Feb. 2?

MTYBM: Honestly, no. It’s a little silly, perhaps, to put such a big prediction in the paws of an easily-frightened creature like him. But I think it’s a boost to his self-esteem to have that responsibility, and I don’t begrudge him that.

360: There’s a bit of confusion about your relationship to Phil. Are you a groundhog? Is he a marmot? Are you ... cousins?

MTYBM: We’re in the same family. The website coloradovirtuallibrary.org describes it well: “Both marmots and groundhogs belong to the rodent family Sciuridae and the genus Marmota. This family includes a variety of species of ground squirrels, each with their own characteristics. Marmots have a dark head with a white band across the bridge of the nose. They also have bushy tails. Groundhogs’ heads are more uniform in color, and their tails are smoother and more compact.”

That, and I prefer the Western U.S., and he’s more of a Midwest/Northeast guy.

And I’m braver.

360: Beyond any seasonal predictions, is there anything you’d like to share with our readers?

MTYBM: I’m glad you asked, because yes there is. I’ve bragged a bit about being less skittish than Phil, but caution is a normal and important quality for wild animals to have. My advice, whether you’re at a park in Pullman, on a walking path in Clarkston or in your own backyard, is to stop feeding wildlife (with limited exceptions, like well-kept bird feeders) and to admire us from afar. We might seem happy about the handouts (I’ll admit I can be a little greedy), but we’re better off keeping our natural fear of you humans.

360: Thanks for your time, Magnus. And happy spring?

MTYBM: You’re most welcome. It’ll be here before you know it.