Folklore Forecasting - Weather Proverbs Related to the Natural World The Tennessee Aquarium’s groundhog is one of the rising stars of the animal encounters program. Kids will enjoy meeting this furry forecaster along with dozens of other species every hour of every day in both Aquarium buildings. Many visitors may be surprised to learn how many of the Aquarium’s creatures have folklore sayings touting their weather predicting skills. Do screech owls really hoot before it rains? Can parrots like hyacinth macaws foretell a storm? Will frogs call more loudly before showers?

Throughout February, Aquarium visitors will learn about “The Wild Side of Weather.” Guests will discover the weather folklore of other creatures from around the world during animal encounter programs, dive shows, keeper talks and gallery chats.  Birds, butterflies, sharks and other beasts that may have been overshadowed by the groundhog in the past will share the spotlight during these fun-filled presentations.

With more than 10,000 animals living in two buildings, the Tennessee Aquarium in downtown Chattanooga is home to many of the animal forecasters mentioned in an 1883 War Department report. So Aquarium experts have taken a look at the proverbs relating to Aquarium "beasts" to see which ones hold water more than 127 years later.

We hope you enjoy learning a bit about the weather fact and weather fun of "The Wild Side of Weather."

• Weather Facts: Proverbs with some scientific explanation of observed animal behavior
  


• Weather Fun: Proverbs that may be colorful, but not necessarily true
  


• Weather Fiction: Proverbs that can be disproven or may appear truthful by chance only
  
  
• You never know what you'll see during an Animal Encounter
  
  
• Printable Games and puzzles
  
  

Thanks to the following Tennessee Aquarium staff members: Christine Bock, lead horticulturist, Dave Collins, curator of forests, Kevin Calhoon, assistant curator of forests, Susie Grant, senior educator, Bill Haley, education outreach coordinator, Bethany Lloyd, outreach educator, Rob Mottice, senior aquarist, Charlene Nash, horticulturist and Jennifer Taylor, entomologist. They helped evaluate the weather proverbs.