Why a groundhog? Why not a rat?

I don't know why we make all this fuss on Groundhog Day over a groundhog's weather-predicting abilities (or lack thereof). February 2nd is a day for people in Punxsutawny, Pennsylvania, to get up early to watch two men in tuxes and top hats pull a giant rodent out of his hidey-hole to predict the next few weeks of weather, based on whether said rodent sees his shadow (6 more weeks of winter) or not (early Spring). 

[This is totally ridiculous, given that he'd see a shadow on a sunny day, which usually indicates good weather, but not on a cloudy day, which usually indicates snowy or rainy weather.]

However unimpressed I am by Punxsutawny Phil, as said rodent is known, I have to say I am very impressed with the curly mustache sported by Mr. John Hughes, one of Phil's "handlers" (to the left in the photo above).

Another view of Mr. Hughes's mustache. If he had a longer, leaner face, he'd be perfect as Mr. Mustache-Twirling Villain in one of those old movies where Ms. Delicate Flower is kidnapped and tied to the railroad tracks until Mr. Villain gets his ransom.

But back to the weather-predicting rodent. He isn't even a very cute rodent! My dogs kill one of these pests every so often... and I'm not at all saddened by the loss. No, if you want a cute rodent, why not a squirrel or chipmunk? Even a prairie dog or a beaver will do. But groundhogs?

Um... careful, mister-- You might be happy to see him, but Phil obviously doesn't agree. In fact, he looks like he might want to take your nose off for waking him up out of his beauty sleep.