Can Animals Predict the Weather?

Will it rain cats and dogs today, or can you enjoy some fun in the sun?
Through the ages, folklore has suggested that animals are able to predict the weather. So is there anything in it? Or is it a load of hot air?

In the USA, there’s a February tradition known as Groundhog Day. Thousands of Americans flock to the hibernation hut of Punxsutawney Phil - the nation’s most famous groundhog. When Phil emerges from his den after a long winter’s hibernation, one of the first things he does is look for his shadow. If he sees it, he’ll retire back to his den, and the saying goes that we’re in for a few more weeks of winter. If he can’t see his shadow, Phil will stay above ground and the theory goes that there will be an early spring. Unfortunately for Phil - in 120 years, he’s only been correct 39% of the time.
But that’s done nothing to deter Phil’s diehard fans!

Legend has it that cows will lie down when it’s about to rain.
However recent research said that there was no scientific grounding for this, and cows are just as likely to lie down because they want a rest.

When it comes to wet weather predictions, sharks, might be a little more reliable than cows. Barometric pressure drops when a storm comes in, and it’s thought that sharks are sensitive to this change. They have been observed swimming to deeper water where they feel safer during tempestuous weather.
It’s said that if flocks of birds fly high, the weather will be dry; but if they fly close to the ground, a storm could be on its way.

It’s been theorized that birds can detect a distant storm because they sense a low frequency noise, known as infrasound, that’s made by the storm, and is inaudible to humans. Scientists in America have recorded a flock of golden-winged warblers taking massive detour from their usual breeding grounds, avoiding a storm - all thought to be down to their infrasound detection skills
So whilst not every animal has the power to predict the weather, it seems there’s a lot more to their abilities than you might think!

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