Wildlife Wonders: The Fascinating World of Marmots!
Get ready to experience an incredible adventure into the world of wildlife. Join us every week on a journey where we’ll explore and discover the incredible beauty and wonder of the diverse animal kingdom that surrounds us.
Marmots are a type of large ground squirrel native to North America and Eurasia. I am personally quite fond of them as they make fun and engaging photography subjects. I mean look at this guy right here. He sort of looks like a little mob boss, doesn’t he? And check this video out! Can you believe that? In front of my wife and without buying me dinner first. The nerve…
Did you know that there are 14 different known species of marmot? Marmots come in different shapes and sizes, with their average weight ranging from 3 to 7 kg (6.6 to 15.4 lbs). Some of the largest marmot species in North America include the Olympic, Hoary, and Vancouver Island marmots, with some individuals weighing over 8kg (18 lbs). The average length of their bodies ranges from 30-60 cm (11.8 to 23.6 inches), while their tails measure between 10 to 25 cm (3.9 to 9.8 inches). Their fur is long, thick, and slightly coarse and comes in various colors, such as yellowish-brown, brown, black, gray, and white. Marmots have a diverse diet as they are omnivorous, consuming grasses, flowers, insects, and even bird eggs if they can be obtained.
Marmots are part of a diverse group of animals known as rodents, which also includes popular pets like guinea pigs, as well as other animals like beavers, porcupines, chipmunks, squirrels, hamsters, and lemmings. Despite some people considering rodents to be gross or unappealing, they are actually fascinating and vital to many ecosystems.
Marmots are diurnal creatures, which means they are active primarily during the day. Some species, like the Hoary marmot and Alpine marmot, are highly sociable animals with family groups known as colonies. Each colony can have as many as 11 to 20 members! Other species, like the woodchuck of Canada and the United States, are solitary creatures that live alone except during breeding season.
One of the most amazing things about these animals is their adaptability to living in cold environments. They are exclusive to the northern hemisphere and have fur-covered ears, short, stocky legs, a bushy tail, and strong claws for digging. All species of marmot live in burrows that they excavate. Marmots are found in open country in mountains and plains, preferring mountainous meadows, steppes, tundra, and forest edges. The majority of mountain species construct burrows beneath boulder fields, rocky slopes, and crevices in cliff faces, offering protection from predators. These same rocks and cliffs also serve as perfect lookout points for the colony to warn each other of danger. If danger from predators does exist they will emit a sharp, piercing whistle to alarm their fellows and then escape to the relative safety of their burrows.
Now, let's talk about the winter. All species of marmot hibernate during this season. Most species do so deeply, but some may emerge from their burrows for short periods of time during mild winter days. During this hibernation period, they live on fat reserves accumulated during the summer. The hoary marmot, in particular, hibernates between seven to nine months out of the year! Their fat reserves amount to 20 percent of their total body weight. Talk about preparing for the winter!
Marmots mate soon after they emerge from hibernation. Gestation lasts about a month, and a litter is generally 4 or 5 born in nests within their burrows. Most marmots produce young every year, except for the Olympic marmot of the Olympic Mountains in the North West United States. Instead, they bear young every other year.
Unfortunately, not all species of marmots are doing well. The Vancouver Island marmot is a critically endangered species. They are concentrated on fewer than a dozen mountains in a small area of about 150 square kilometers on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The causes of their disappearance from northern Vancouver Island remain a mystery. Disease outbreaks, climate change, and sheer chance may have been contributing factors.
In conclusion, marmots are truly remarkable creatures that have adapted to survive in some of the harshest environments on Earth. From their hibernation habits to their social structures, there's no denying that marmots are both fascinating and important members of the animal kingdom. So next time you're exploring the mountains, keep an eye out for these furry little friends - you never know what you might learn!
If you enjoyed this glimpse into the wild, please comment and share. Next week, join us as we explore one of Canada’s most breathtaking parks.
