Hoary Marmot

Marmota caligata

Hoary marmots are fluffy, friendly animals that live in the mountains. They love to sunbathe on rocks and make loud whistles to talk to each other!

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Hoary Marmot has thick, grizzly-grey fur with black feet and a dark, bushy tail. Its head is often darker, with a white patch on the snout. This large ground squirrel's distinctive 'hoary' appearance comes from the white tips on its guard hairs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusMarmota

Hoary Marmot

Interesting facts

Hoary Marmots greet each other by gently pressing noses, almost like a kiss!

These big ground squirrels are nicknamed 'whistle pigs' because of their loud alarm calls!

They can pack on half their body weight in fat each summer, ready for winter hibernation.

They live in family groups, sharing burrows and often sunbathing together on sunny rocks.

Special abilities

Hoary Marmots can whistle loudly to warn their colony of danger, using a high-pitched call that travels far across mountain valleys.

Hoary Marmots undergo deep hibernation for up to 7-8 months, conserving energy through the harsh winter.

Hoary Marmots are skilled diggers, creating complex burrows that provide shelter from predators and harsh weather.

Measurements & details

Length: 60-80 cm
Weight: 3-8 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Top Speed: 30 km/h
Litter Size: 2-5
Gestation: 30-32 days

Diet & Feeding

These mountain residents love to munch on a variety of plants found in their alpine home.

Primary Foods

Grasses
Wildflowers
Forbs
Berries
Mosses
Lichens

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

A swift aerial predator, it preys on marmots from above.

eaten by

Grizzly Bear

Ursus arctos

Bears dig marmots from their burrows for a meal.

eaten by

Grey Wolf

Canis lupus

Wolves hunt marmots in open areas where they can chase them.

eats

Idaho Fescue

Festuca idahoensis

Hoary Marmots graze on this common grass in their habitat.

eats

Heartleaf Arnica

Arnica cordifolia

They consume the leaves and flowers of this mountain plant.

Traits

Furry

Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Mountain

This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

Hibernating

Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity.