Marmot Madness

Walking on the Wild Side

Marmots are members of the genus marmota and are essentially large ground squirrels. Fifteen different species can be found across the world with a smaller subset here in the states. The yellow-bellied marmot has played a big role in my life over the last decade thus will be the feature of this blog with a side note on the hoary marmot and the groundhog.

It's never too early to introduce little ones to the wonders of the natural world! This baby board book, featuring my photos of baby marmots, makes a fantastic holiday gift for children up to age 6. Click the photo above to purchase ($8.95 each plus shipping & handling).


My first in encounter with yellow-bellied marmots was in Colorado. Here you will find them at higher elevations typically between 6,000 to 12,000 feet. They love areas with rocky outcrops and grassy meadows which are in abundance in Colorado's high country. Given my passion for spending time at alpine lakes, it is no wonder I have had many encounters with them.

Fun Facts

  • Marmots are social animals, often living in colonies that can consist of a dominant male, several females, and their offspring.

  • They communicate through a series of whistles, grunts, and growls, especially when alerting others to potential threats.

  • You will often find them “sunning” themselves on a favorite rock or boulder when they are not busy building up fat reserves in preparation for hibernation.

  • Hibernation is typically from late September or October until late March or early April.

Why Did I Drink the Entire Six Pack?Why Did I Drink the Entire Six Pack?


 

While marmots look completely harmless given their cute, chubby appearance I must warn you to “Beware the Marmot”! One most never let their guard down as they are vandals and thieves.

 

You think I am joking?  Well let me tell you a few true stories that will make you never turn you back, or should I say backpack, on a marmot ever again.

Just one look at these two, and you know they’re up to no good. See that purple hat between them? Swiped from an unsuspecting hiker the moment they let their guard down! When my husband Scot tried to reclaim it for its rightful owner, the marmots snatched it up like furry little bandits and dove into the burrow behind that rock faster than you can say "purple hat." Who knows what they’ll do with it now—but let’s just say it’s not finding its way back anytime soon!


Then there was that one backpacking trip where I nearly didn’t make it back with all my gear. I was deep in the Holy Cross Wilderness on what was meant to be a multi-day adventure, and on the first night, I set up camp by Cleveland Lake. Like a good camper, I stored my food in a bear bag and hung it up in a tree, far from my tent, as one should in bear country. My mistake? I left my backpack leaning against a boulder instead of securing it inside the tent or hoisting it up in a tree.

The wind was howling that night—I barely slept, convinced that both me and my tent would blow away. But not once did I hear any critters messing with my pack. Morning arrived, and to my surprise, my backpack had been chewed up in several spots! One strap was gnawed clean through, and the other was barely holding on. How was I going to get out with all my gear?

Well, I did manage to make it back. I rigged up my camera bag as a makeshift strap on one side. The silver lining? I’d invested in a high-quality Osprey backpack, so the other strap held strong. Plus, I was able to ship my pack to Osprey's repair team, and thanks to their All Mighty Guarantee, they sent me a brand-new backpack—no extra cost except shipping!

So when I say, "Beware the Marmot," I’m not joking! Even so, I still love spending time around them and, of course, capturing their awesome personalities on camera.




 


Side Note: Groundhogs

My first encounter with the genus Marmota was growing up in Pennsylvania. The species found in Pennsylvania is known more commonly as a groundhog or woodchuck. Groundhogs prefer open fields, meadows, and areas close to the forest's edge. They are a gardeners bane due to their extensive tunnel digging and unchecked appetite for grasses, berries, plants and crops.

When I lived in State College, PA I had one frequent my backyard who I affectionately named Frank.

However, the most famous groundhog is known as Punxsutawney Phil, who comes out of his den each February 2nd to check on the weather. If Phil sees his shadow, it means there will be another six weeks of winter. If not, it means spring is coming. While not tied to any actual meteorological data, it is a fun tradition loved by many who celebrate Groundhog Day each year in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887.

 


Side Note: Hoary Marmots

I first heard and caught a distant glimpse of a hoary marmot at Grinnell Lake in Glacier National Park. These marmots inhabit the far western regions of Montana, favoring high alpine environments. Compared to the yellow-bellied marmot, the hoary marmot is larger with a white-gray coat (the yellow-bellied has a more yellow-brown coloration). Though I haven’t yet had the chance to photograph one, my most thrilling wildlife encounter ever involved a group of hoary marmots sounding alarm calls. They were sounding an alert due to the presence of a wolverine, which came remarkably close to my husband and I at an alpine lake in the Beaverhead Mountains—closer than most ever experience.

 

Read all about our wolverine encounter on a  previous blog. Here is the link:

https://www.leaf-images.com/blog/2024/2/ExtraordinaryEncounter


 


Marmot_01Marmot_01At hoome among the rocky high country this marmot pokes it head out to get a better look.
 

Happy Halloween and remember to always BEWARE the MARMOTS!

 

 

Lea Frye - Wildlife photographer

 

 

www.leaf-images.com     |      Lea Frye, Wildlife Photographer        |    Helena, MT

                     Wild Animals / Wild Landscapes

 


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