Even groundhogs have bad hair days.
Ms. G, the state’s beloved groundhog whose appearance on Groundhog Day offers a forecast for the weather heading into spring, won’t fully take part in the cherished tradition Friday because of a hair issue but will still make her annual prediction, Mass Audubon said.
Michael O’Connor, a Mass Audubon spokesperson, said the group is “scaling back the event this year” at the Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln, Ms. G’s home.
“Ms. G, our groundhog, is experiencing some hair loss that veterinarians say is due to hormones and is very common in juvenile females,” O’Connor said. “Although she is healthy, we’ve decided not to have her outdoors in the chilly weather and to minimize her contact with the public to avoid additional stress.”
Mass Audubon “will be using Groundhog Day to celebrate a midpoint of winter and spring, but Ms. G won’t be making her traditional appearance,” O’Connor said. “Visitors are still welcome to gather at Drumlin Farm to hike, do arts and crafts, and take part in educational activities.”
O’Connor said Ms. G will still make her annual prediction — just from inside.
The Mass Audubon website has additional information about the day’s offerings, which will run from 9:30 a.m. until noon.
“This year, an outdoor prognostication will be replaced with an indoor meet and greet with Ms. G at the Farm Life Center and comments from Metro West’s Regional Director Scott McCue and Senior Naturalist Tia Pinney,” the site says. “Then, enjoy winter activities like meeting resident wildlife, exploring wilderness trails, and family-friendly groundhog crafts. We’ll also discuss how New England wildlife survives the winter and how the changing climate impacts their habitat.”
Ms. G was declared the state’s official groundhog in 2014 by Governor Deval Patrick. In 2022, she predicted an early spring, while her Pennsylvania counterpart, Punxsutawney Phil, predicted six more weeks of winter.
As legend has it, if a groundhog sees its shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If the animal doesn’t, spring comes early.
Joanne Rathe Strohmeyer of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.