Marmot
Marmot Facts
| Size | 15-20 inches (40-50 cm) |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Weight | 5-18 pounds (2-8 kg) |
| Lifespan | Unknown |
| Food | Roots, leaves, flowers, herbs, grasses |
| Predators | Foxes, wolves, badgers, eagles |
| Habitat | Europe, North America, Canada, Russia, Asia |
| Order | Rodentia |
| Family | Squirrels |
| Scientific name | Marmota |
| Characteristics | Large rodent that often stands on its hind legs and whistles |
Main Characteristics
Marmots are large rodents. They're famous for standing on their hind legs and making loud whistling sounds to warn others when there is danger. During the winter, they hibernate in their burrows for 7-9 months. Their most noticeable features include their strong bodies, small ears, short tails, short legs, and grayish-brown fur. Marmots are also known as whistle pigs, groundhogs, ground squirrels and rock chucks.
Species
There are 15 species of marmots. The most common one in Europe is the Alpine marmot. In North America and Canada, you can find the yellow-bellied marmot and the groundhog. Central Asia is home to the long-tailed marmot, while the Steppe marmot can be found in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. The largest species is the Olympic marmot, which is only found in the state of Washington, USA.
Distribution and Habitat
Marmots can be found in Europe, Russia, North America, Canada, and Asia, thriving in a variety of habitats. The Alpine marmot resides in high mountain areas, reaching elevations of up to 7.200 feet (2,200 meters). The yellow-bellied marmot is located in the Rocky Mountains of the USA, while the steppe marmot prefers the grasslands. In Canada, the groundhog makes its home in low-lying areas like the tundra.
Way of Life
Marmots spend about 60-80% of their lives underground, where they are well-protected from predators and the harsh winter cold. From May to September, they are active during the day, foraging for food. To spot approaching threats early, they often stand on their hind legs, allowing them to get a better view of their surroundings. These social creatures live in small groups, typically consisting of 10-20 individuals.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Marmots are roughly the size of a large cat or a small dog, like a dachshund. They typically measure around 15-20 inches (40-50 cm) in length and weigh between 5-18 pounds (2-8 kg). The largest species of marmot is the Olympic marmot.
Physique
Marmots have a robust body, short legs, small ears, and a stubby tail.
Incisors
Marmots have two particularly large and strong incisors in both the upper and lower jaws. While they're white, they appear yellow due to a yellow enamel that protects and strengthens the teeth.
Fur
Most species have fur that is grayish-brown in color. The groundhog is a bit darker. The alpine marmot and the yellow-bellied marmot feature a striking yellow-brown belly.
Claws
Marmots possess long, strong claws that help them dig tunnels in the semi-frozen soil.
Marmot or Groundhog – What's the Difference?
In North America, there are mainly the yellow-bellied marmot and the groundhog. These two animals look very similar, but there are some noticeable differences that set them apart. Groundhogs don’t have a yellow belly; they are a solid gray-brown color. They prefer to live in flat, low areas instead of mountains. Also, they aren’t as social as the yellow-bellied marmots. Instead of living in groups of 10-20, groundhogs usually only stay with their close family, like their parents and kids.
Diet
Marmots are herbivores. Their diet mainly consists of roots, leaves, flowers, herbs, and grasses.
Behavior
Marmots Prefer a "Cool" Life
Marmots are quite sensitive to heat. They're perfectly adapted to cold environments and can't tolerate temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). For them, such warmth feels like 96 degrees Fahrenheit (36 degrees Celsius) in the blazing sun does for us humans. It’s no surprise, considering their thick fur!
Basking in the Sun
While marmots aren’t fans of high temperatures, they do enjoy soaking up the sun when it’s really chilly outside. They often find a warm rock to lie on, soaking in the heat that the sun has provided.
Why Do Marmots Stand on Their Hind Legs?
Most of the time, marmots stay underground. When they come out to look for food, you can often see them standing up. They rise on their back legs, stretch up high, and look around in all directions. This helps them get a good view of their surroundings and spot any predators from far away.
What Do Marmots Do When They Are in Danger?
When threatened, marmots whistle to alert their fellow marmots. They quickly dash to their burrow or one of their escape tunnels, which are short tunnels with one or two entrances that they create in addition to their summer burrow.
Communication With Their Fellows
Whistling
Marmots don’t just whistle to alert their fellow peers about predators. They also use it as a way to communicate with each other. In fact, the sound is more like a scream, but it resembles the whistling and chirping of a bird.
Nose Rubbing
It’s especially adorable when two marmots meet. As a greeting, they rub their noses against each other.
Are Marmots Dangerous?
If you're hiking and spot one of these animals, you might wonder: Are marmots dangerous? After all, they have sharp teeth and can grow as large as a small dog. The good news is: No, they're quite friendly and peaceful creatures. In fact, you would need a lot of luck just to catch a glimpse of one. However, if they feel trapped or threatened, they might bite in self-defense due to stress.
Marmot Burrow
Types
Marmots create extensive tunnel systems with many entrances and exits. There are three main types: a summer burrow, a winter burrow, and several short "escape tubes".
Length
The longest tunnel ever constructed by a marmot measured 370 feet (113 meters).
Depth
The summer burrwo is typically found at a depth of 3-5 feet (1-1.5 meters) and includes a nesting chamber for their young. The winter burrow can reach depths of up to 23 feet (7 meters), where the ground remains frost-free, protecting the animals from freezing temperatures.
Digging
To excavate their tunnels, marmots loosen the soil using their teeth and front paws, then push the dirt out with their strong hind legs.
Hibernation
Marmots don't simply rest during winter; they enter a true hibernation that lasts between 7-9 months, starting in September and concluding in May.
Preparation
Throughout the summer, marmots gain about 5-7 pounds (2-3 kg) in weight. They eat extensively to build up fat reserves that will sustain them during their hibernation.
Wintering in the Burrow
During winter, temperatures in the marmot's habitat can drop to -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius). To prepare, they burrow deep into the ground, where it remains frost-free.
Cuddling for Warmth
Marmots snuggle together, lowering their body temperature to around six degrees Celsius to conserve energy. The youngest and smallest ones huddle in the center, where it’s warmest. This way, up to 20 marmots can form a large, cozy ball of fur underground.
Slowed Heart Rate and Breathing
To save even more energy, their heart rate drops to just 5-20 beats per minute, and their breathing slows down to about two breaths per minute.
Senses and Abilities
Senses
The two primary senses for marmots are their sense of hearing and their sense of smell. Their eyesight is not very well developed. They are nearsighted and struggle to see clearly at a distance. However, their vision is sufficient to spot large predators.
Locomotion
Marmots are capable of climbing and swimming, though they aren't particularly skilled at it. They prefer to move around on solid ground.
Life Expectancy
Marmots typically have a lifespan of around 6-15 years, with variations depending on the specific species.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
Natural enemies include badgers, foxes, wolves, coyotes, black bears, and eagles.
Human Impact
Hunting
In Germany, marmots are protected all year. However, in Austria and Switzerland, they are hunted for food or for their teeth as trophies. In the United States, they are killed because their burrowing can compromise agricultural land.
Marmot Fat
Marmot ointment is said to help with various ailments, such as coughs and joint pain. The fact is, this ointment is made from marmot fat, which requires the animals to be killed. What are your thoughts on this? Is it justified?
Hiking and Climbing Tourism
More and more people are seeking relaxation and a connection with nature by heading outdoors. They hike and climb in the mountains, often encountering marmots along the way. However, our presence can be quite stressful for these animals, similar to the effect of predators. This stress can lead to reduced reproduction rates, fewer offspring, or difficulties in feeding and raising their young due to frequent disturbances. As a result, the Alpine marmot has disappeared from many areas.
Conservation Status
Most species of marmots aren't considered threatened or endangered.
Reproduction
Marmots reproduce between May and June. The males mate with several females. After a gestation period of about 30 days, they give birth to 3-8 babies. At birth, the pups are blind and hairless. They are nursed for the first three weeks, after which they start eating grasses and other plants. By around seven weeks, they become independent from their mother.
Marmots as Pets
Is it possible to keep a marmot as a pet? Well, no. Marmots are wild animals and can't be cared for in a way that meets their natural needs, as they spend most of their time underground.
Fun Facts
The World’s Most Famous Marmot
In Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, there lives a very special groundhog named Phil. Each year on February 2nd, he is consulted as a weather predictor. While Phil can't actually talk, his actions are closely watched. If he emerges from his burrow and casts a shadow, it means winter will last for six more weeks. If he doesn't cast a shadow, spring is just around the corner. This event has turned into a grand spectacle, complete with cameras, TV hosts, and plenty of spectators.
Groundhog Day
The concept of "Groundhog Day" gained popularity thanks to the Hollywood movie "Groundhog Day." However, it’s not solely an American creation. Settlers from Europe brought this folklore with them.
Do Marmots Murmur?
In Germany, the marmot is called „Murmeltier“ - which means „murmuring animal“. The name comes from the Old High German word "murmunto," which is derived from the Latin "mures montis," meaning mountain mouse.
The Marmot Is Related To:
- Ground Squirrel
- Prairie Dog
Animals in the Same Biome:
Sources:
- „Seasonal variation of cardiovascular function in the marmot, Marmota flaviventris“ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- „Energy expenditure and body composition in a hibernator, the alpine marmot“ (https://link.springer.com)
- „Sounds and communications of the yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris)“ (https://www.sciencedirect.com)
- „How do humans impact yellow-bellied marmots? An integrative analysis“ (https://www.sciencedirect.com)
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