Step aside, Punxsutawney Phil, Big Al the alligator is here to predict Texas' forecast this year.

You Can Call Me Al

Since 2006, Big Al the alligator has been predicting Texas' weather, rather successfully, I might add.

It looks like retirement is not in the cards for Big Al, as he is already 93 years old. Beaumont Enterprise includes that he reached a whopping 13 feet before being captured from the wild in 1994 at the ripe age of 62.

Big Al lives in Gator Country in Beaumont, TX, and has a slightly different way of making his decision than the famous groundhog in Pennsylvania. instead of emerging from his home and seeing his shadow, Big Al will be offered a premium large steak.

If Al takes the juicy steak with joy and gobbles it down his gullet, then he predicts a shorter winter and spring will arrive earlier. If, however, he rejects the tasty morsel, then Texas can assume we'll see another six-ish weeks of winter.

Each year for nearly 20 years, Big Al is presented the steak on Feb. 2. This year, we'll see if the massive reptile will declare six more weeks of winter or not. Keep up with updates from the Gator Country social media page. Fingers crossed!

See Ya Later, Gator!

You see, there is a science to this; it's not just a random chance. Many reptiles, including alligators, enter into a form of hibernation called brumation during freezing temperatures. If they feel that their body temperature is high enough after waking up where they can successfully digest food, then that means the air is warm enough to accurately assume the winter season is coming to a close.

So, will Big Al determine if it's warm enough to digest a delicious steak, or will we have to keep our heaters on for six more weeks of winter in Texas. Our fate lies with Al...

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