Staten Island Chuck
Official groundhog meteorologist of New York City.
Staten Island Chuck—formally known as Charles G. Hogg—is a groundhog living at the Staten Island Zoo in New York City. Since 1981, the title of official groundhog meteorologist has been held by a succession of groundhogs at the zoo, each taking on the role of Chuck. The prediction is made during a ceremony held between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., based on whether Chuck sees his shadow. The event is sometimes attended and led by the Mayor of New York City.
In 2009, Chuck bit Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Over Bloomberg’s 12 years in office, he attended 7 of the 12 ceremonies. For the first Groundhog Day under Mayor Bill de Blasio, Chuck was replaced by his granddaughter, Charlotte. During that ceremony on February 2, 2014, de Blasio dropped Charlotte onto the ground in front of “shocked schoolchildren.” Charlotte died on February 9, 2014, though the zoo did not disclose this until months later. A necropsy, reported by the New York Post, attributed her death to “acute internal injuries” consistent with a fall. The zoo initially claimed she died of natural causes, later stating it was “unlikely” the fall caused her death, despite accusations of a coverup and reports that de Blasio had killed the groundhog.
A female groundhog filled in for Chuck at Groundhog Day 2015. On February 2, 2015, this female “Staten Island Chuck” emerged from a hutch lifted by an elevator onto a portable Plexiglas stage, while de Blasio watched from six feet away. De Blasio skipped the 2016 ceremony to campaign for Hillary Clinton in Iowa; Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul officiated instead. He also did not attend from 2017 to 2019, and in 2020 confirmed he would never return, saying, “I tried it, it didn’t end well, I won’t be back.”
In 2016, Chuck appeared in the children’s book *Groundhog Chuck Builds a Weather Station*, written by Staten Island Deputy Borough President Ed Burke, an animal lover and outdoor enthusiast. The story follows Chuck and his zoo friends as they try to ensure accurate weather forecasts.
The Staten Island Zoo has claimed that, as of 2013, Chuck correctly predicted winter’s length 26 out of 32 years—an 82% success rate. The zoo has also cited an 85% accuracy rate over a 20-year period, though the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has not issued an official ranking of animal prognosticators.
- Species
- Groundhog
- Residence
- Staten Island Zoo, Staten Island, New York City
- Role
- Official groundhog meteorologist of New York City
- Known for
- Predicting winter duration on Groundhog Day; biting Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2009
- Accuracy
- 85% success rate according to zoo analysis of 20 years of data (as of 2025)
Lore & Background
Staten Island Chuck has been the title held by the groundhog making Groundhog Day predictions since 1981, though the individual animal has changed over the years. The ceremony, held between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., involves Chuck emerging to see his shadow, which determines whether winter will last six more weeks. The event has been attended by New York City mayors, including Michael Bloomberg, who attended 7 of 12 ceremonies during his tenure and was bitten by Chuck in 2009.
Chuck was later replaced by his granddaughter, Charlotte, for the first Groundhog Day ceremony of Mayor Bill de Blasio's administration. On February 2, 2014, de Blasio dropped Charlotte onto the ground in front of shocked schoolchildren. Charlotte died on February 9, 2014, though the zoo did not announce this until months later.
Reader's Guide
Staten Island Chuck holds significance as New York City's official groundhog meteorologist, a role that has made him a local cultural fixture since 1981. His predictions are part of a broader American tradition, but Chuck has gained particular attention for his accuracy: the Staten Island Zoo claimed an 82% success rate as of 2013, and in 2025, NOAA ranked him the most accurate animal prognosticator in the United States, with an 85% success rate over 20 years—far surpassing Punxsutawney Phil's 35%. This accuracy has bolstered his reputation as a reliable seasonal predictor.
Chuck's legacy also includes notable controversies. The 2009 biting of Mayor Michael Bloomberg brought national media attention, and the 2014 death of his granddaughter Charlotte after being dropped by Mayor Bill de Blasio sparked accusations of a coverup and public debate. These events have made Chuck a symbol of both the whimsy and the occasional mishaps of civic traditions. His continued role, despite mayoral absences and changes in groundhog representatives, underscores the enduring appeal of Groundhog Day in New York City.
Did You Know?
- Staten Island Chuck bit New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2009.
- Chuck's granddaughter Charlotte died in 2014 after being dropped by Mayor Bill de Blasio during the Groundhog Day ceremony.
- Chuck made his publication debut in the 2017 children's book Groundhog Chuck Builds a Weather Station.
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