Staten Island Chuck Doesn't See Shadow, Bites Mayor Bloomberg

To See Or Not To See? Staten Island Chuck Predicts The Weather

Staten Island Chuck, New York's alternative to Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil, delivered good news today: expect an early spring.

Mayor Bloomberg declared that Chuck, also known as Charles G. Hogg, did not see his shadow at this morning's Groundhog Day ceremony.

In the past Bloomberg and Chuck have had a bit of a tumultuous relationship: last year the groundhog bit the mayor's finger.

Bloomberg made light of the incident this morning, quipping,

Last year, I was willing to put that finger, right here, in the way to protect the people of this great borough. The only thing that stood between Chuck and you getting bitten was my finger and I have a scar to prove exactly how much I love one of the five best boroughs we have.

Punxsutawney Phil, on the other hand, apparently saw his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter. For non-New Yorkers, that is.

Footage from last year's biting:

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