# Alpine Marmot (*Marmota marmota*) Alpine marmots are cute, furry animals that live in the mountains. They are known for their loud whistles and love to sunbathe on rocks during the day. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions ![Alpine Marmot](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Marmota_marmota_Alpes2.jpg&width=800) Photo: François Trazzi ., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marmota_marmota_Alpes2.jpg) ## Appearance The Alpine Marmot is a large, stout ground squirrel with grizzled grey-brown fur, often lighter on its belly, and a distinctive dark stripe running from its head to its nose. It has a short, bushy tail and small, rounded ears that help it blend into its rocky, high-altitude home. Its robust build makes it appear much stockier than typical squirrels. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Marmota ## Interesting facts - Alpine marmots pack on extra weight in summer, sometimes doubling it, for winter survival. - Their loud alarm whistles can travel over a mile across the mountain valleys! - These social animals greet each other by rubbing cheeks to share their unique scents! - They love to sunbathe on warm rocks, soaking up rays to raise their body temperature! ## Special abilities - **Super Sleeper:** Alpine Marmot can slow its heartbeat and breathing because of special adaptations that allow it to hibernate for months. - **Whistle Warning:** Alpine Marmot has a loud, high-pitched whistle that helps them warn family members about predators nearby. - **Burrow Builder:** Alpine Marmot can dig deep tunnels because of its strong claws and teeth, creating safe homes from cold and danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 42-54 cm - **Weight:** 3-8 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-7 - **Gestation:** 33-34 days ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eaters munch on mountain greens and flowers to get ready for their long winter sleep. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Herbs, Flowers, Roots, Seeds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — A primary aerial predator of young and adult marmots. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Opportunistic ground predator that hunts marmots in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** Eurasian Lynx (*Lynx lynx*) — Large feline predator that occasionally preys on marmots. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and do not try to touch or feed wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Alpine Marmot? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Alpine Marmot? 42-54 cm ### How much does Alpine Marmot weigh? 3-8 kg ### How long does Alpine Marmot live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Alpine Marmot move? 30 km/h ### What does Alpine Marmot eat? These plant-eaters munch on mountain greens and flowers to get ready for their long winter sleep. ### Where is Alpine Marmot usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Alpine Marmot hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Marguareis Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marguareis-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Adamello Brenta Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/adamello-brenta-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Adamello Regional Park, Lombardy](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/adamello-regional-park-lombardy) — IT · Park - [Berchtesgaden National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berchtesgaden-national-park) — Bayern, DE · Park - [Lessinia Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lessinia-regional-nature-park) — IT · Park - [Puez–Odle Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/puezodle-nature-park) — IT · Park [View all places to see Alpine Marmot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/alpine-marmot) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Alpine Marmot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpine-marmot)