HOLLIDAYSBURG (AP) – A Pennsylvania groundhog is making a name for himself for something other than predicting an early or late spring.

An intrepid varmint dubbed Colonel Custard – so named for the frozen custard shop and mini-golf outlet where he was discovered – was found stowed away with a passel of stuffed animals prizes in an arcade game two weeks ago. Players were manoeuvering a mechanical claw to pluck toys from the glass game case when they suddenly realised a real live groundhog was blinking back at them.

The newly named colonel was found in Hollidaysburg, a good hour’s drive from Pennsylvania’s far more famous groundhog town, Punxsutawney, home to the weather-predicting groundhog Phil.

The owners and staff at The Meadows frozen custard shop aren’t being shy about promoting their own furry friend.

Staff and owners made T-shirts that read ‘Respect the Groundhog’, held the online naming campaign that drew an avalanche of responses and are working on more promotional ideas, such as naming one of their frozen treat flavours for Colonel Custard.

Meadows manager Lynn Castle said no one is sure how the groundhog got in the building, but he must have clambered up the game chute into the machine.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin