A hedgehog had to fill in for Essex Ed Tuesday. Watch video
WEST ORANGE -- Call in the understudy.
Essex Ed - the groundhog who makes an annual winter prediction every February 2 at the Turtle Back Zoo - couldn't do it this year. He was sleeping.
According to county officials, unusually warm December temperatures threw off Ed's usual hibernation pattern, and prompted him to remain in a deep sleep Tuesday morning. So, Otis the Hedgehog filled in.
And, he did double duty. Not only did Otis see his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter, but he also predicted an outcome for Super Bowl 50: Carolina Panthers over the Denver Broncos.
Ed wasn't the only New Jersey fur ball to force a change of Groundhog's Day plans Tuesday. Stonewall Jackson in Sussex County died the night before he was to make his big debut, causing the annual ceremony to be cancelled.
Time will tell whether or not the hedgehog has superior meteorological powers. Otis's weather prediction was opposite of Punxsutawney Phil's. The two animals, though similarly named, are different species.
See other Groundhog's Day predictions here.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.