On February 2, Americans are told to wait on a Yankee Rodent/groundhog in Pennsylvania to decide what winter has planned. In Texas, that advice is politely declined.
Instead, Texans gather in Bee Cave at the West Pole of the Earth to consult Bee Cave Bob, an armadillo with a proven understanding of Texas weather, Texas seasons, and Texas common sense. This gathering is Armadillo Day, and as of 2026, it has now been held 17 consecutive years.
TL;DR
Armadillo Day takes place every February 2 in Bee Cave, Texas
2026 marks the 17th year of the event
It is organized by the Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon
The event is held at the West Pole, located on the 98th meridian and recognized by the Texas Legislature
Bee Cave Bob the Armadillo predicts both weather and politics
2026 forecast: three more weeks of winter, nothing especially cold
2026 political forecast: Bob went right, signaling a conservative year
Armadillo Day was founded by Terry Boothe, a fifth-generation Texan
Why Texans Trust an Armadillo
The logic behind Armadillo Day is straightforward.
Texas weather is not Pennsylvania weather. Armadillos are native to Texas. Groundhogs are not.
Bee Cave Bob replaces Punxsutawney Phil because armadillos understand drought, heat, short winters, sudden freezes, and the reality that February in Texas does not follow anyone’s script.
As Tex Chamness, one of Bee Cave Bob’s wranglers, explained:
“Armadillo Day is about Texas history. We just don’t let Yankee rodents tell us how Texas weather is gonna be. So we use an armadillo, the official small mammal of Texas. Armadillos are born four at a time, quadruplets, and they’re either all boys or all girls. They’re native to Texas, so of course we get along just fine.”
Tex Chamness holding Bee Cave Bob. Photo by Nick Hayden
Bee Cave Bob’s 2026 Verdict: Weather and Politics
Bee Cave Bob’s role goes beyond seasonal forecasting.
Like other February 2 traditions, his movement determines the weather:
If he stays in the sunlight, spring arrives early
If he returns to the darkness, winter continues
2026 weather forecast:
Three more weeks of winter, but nothing really cold.
Bob also delivers a political forecast:
If he goes right, the year leans conservative
If he goes left, the year leans liberal
In 2026, Bee Cave Bob went right.
The West Pole and the 98th Meridian
Armadillo Day is held at the West Pole in Bee Cave, a site rooted in geography and officially acknowledged by the state.
The West Pole sits on the 98th meridian, a longitudinal line long recognized by historians as the dividing point between the eastern and western United States. East of the line, rainfall, agriculture, population density, and social patterns differ sharply from what exists to the west.
Historian Walter Prescott Webb described the 98th meridian as the place where environment, economy, society, and culture all changed at once.
On May 28, 2007, the location was formally recognized by the Texas Legislature, affirming Bee Cave’s place on that historic line.
The Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon
The Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon are the stewards of Armadillo Day and the West Pole site.
They operate according to a clear philosophy centered on friendship, good health, benevolence, and living life fully. Their pledge emphasizes personal responsibility, maintaining a good attitude, avoiding unnecessary conflict, and remembering that stress is a genuine danger to human health.
Among their stated principles:
Live and let live
Eat, drink, and be merry
Celebrate life
Remain amused
Members are encouraged to maintain a good attitude, avoid unnecessary conflict, manage stress, and remember that life is meant to be enjoyed.
They take these ideas seriously, even when expressing them with a smile.
Raccoon Bacula and What They Represent
Members of the Benevolent Knights of the Raccoon wear raccoon bacula as necklaces.
The baculum, or penile bone, is found in many mammals, including raccoons. Historically, raccoon bacula have been worn as symbols of luck, fertility, vitality, and resilience. The term comes from Latin, meaning “staff” or “stick.”
At Armadillo Day, the baculum is worn openly and explained clearly. Educational signage onsite details its biological role, cultural history, and use across species. It is treated as a meaningful object tied to wildlife, folklore, and natural order.
The Founder: Terry Boothe
Armadillo Day was founded by Terry Boothe, a fifth-generation Texan with a deep interest in Texas history and place-based traditions.
Seventeen years later, the event continues without losing its footing.
The People Who Make Armadillo Day What It Is
Guich Koock
Guich Koock is a sixth-generation Texan born in South Austin with a successful career as a Hollywood actor, appearing in films including Seven, Piranha, Texas Justice, and The Sugarland Express.
On why Armadillo Day matters to him:
“We have a lot of great musicians come to play at the event. Of course Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World. And this is just a special place in my heart. I’ve been friends with Terry Boothe for a long time. We grew up together and both have a mutual love for Texas history.”
When asked what people should expect if they attend:
“It’s a waste of time. But people like to have a purpose with their waste of time, so we come out and hang out. It’s just for fun. We used to celebrate the invention of dynamite. Really anything for a party. And Armadillo Day sounded like a good idea, so we did it.”
Professor Al Manac
Al Manac, head of the Lone Star Weatherological Society, is responsible for analyzing Bee Cave Bob’s behavior.
During his address, he explained the difference between meteorology and weatherology:
“Meteorologists just look at charts and tell you what the weather is supposed to be. They’re wrong 98 percent of the time. That’s the best job anyone could ever have, because no one expects you to be right.”
He continued:
“Weatherologists, on the other hand, have been searching for the perfect method of forecasting for a very long time. That’s when we discovered Bee Cave Bob. We decided, why here in Texas should we rely on a little hairy Yankee rat to tell us what the weather’s gonna be here in Texas. Hence, Armadillo Day.”
Ralph Fisher
Ralph Fisher is the owner and primary wrangler of Bee Cave Bob. He is also one of the few facilitators of armadillo racing in Texas and an active animal rescuer and rehabilitator.
“I got into armadillo racing after a guy named Jalapeño Sam in San Angelo. After he passed, no one else was doing it, so I stepped up. I’ve been doing it for the last 25 years.”
He added:
“We get a lot of injured armadillos and rehab them. Right now, I’ve got about ten armadillos.”
Why Armadillo Day Should Be Your Next Tradition
Armadillo Day is not something you stream or skim past.
You stand on the 98th meridian.
You listen to a forecast delivered by an animal that actually lives here.
You hear Texas history told by people who have lived it.
You spend time with neighbors, musicians, wranglers, and storytellers.
In a state that values independence and place, Armadillo Day offers a February ritual that belongs to Texas alone.
If you are looking for a tradition that feels grounded, local, and honest, make plans now.
Next February 2, Bee Cave Bob will be back.
The West Pole will still be there.
And Texas will once again decide its future without consulting Pennsylvania.