Is the Bay Area home to any weather-forecasting groundhogs?

"Groundhogs are not native to California, and are found mostly east of the Mississippi River. But if you want to hunt for groundhog-like critters, you're in luck. The Bay Area is home to cousins of groundhogs, the California ground squirrel. You can find them in a lot of parks and open spaces, but if it's an adventure you seek, try taking your son on a hike in the Mission Peak Regional Preserve."

"Park naturalists recommend following Hidden Valley and Ohlone Wilderness trails until you reach the Peak Trails, which will lead up to the Mission Peak Summit. To complete the loop, follow the Horse Heaven and Peak Meadows trails back down, keeping an eye out for the ground squirrels as you go. It's about 10 miles in all, and is listed as beginner-to-intermediate in difficulty."

"Northern California is also home to another groundhog relative, the yellow-bellied marmot, also known as a rock chuck. You'll most likely find them in Yosemite. Closer to home and not quite as physically taxing, the Oakland Zoo has a rock hyrax, which some people think resembles a groundhog. Personally, I find them much cuter. They are native to Africa, and you'll find the hyrax in the zoo's African Savannah section."

Groundhogs do not live in California and are mostly found east of the Mississippi River. The Bay Area has groundhog relatives such as the California ground squirrel, commonly seen in parks and open spaces. A recommended hike to observe them is a roughly 10-mile Mission Peak loop using Hidden Valley, Ohlone Wilderness, Peak Trails, Horse Heaven and Peak Meadows; the route mixes paved and gravel paths and is rated beginner-to-intermediate. Northern California hosts yellow-bellied marmots (rock chucks), most likely in Yosemite. The Oakland Zoo displays a rock hyrax in its African Savannah exhibit; the hyrax is native to Africa and resembles a groundhog.

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