Hoary Marmot

Hoary Marmot
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Sciuridae
Genus:	Marmota
Subgenus:	Petromarmota
Species:	M. caligata
Binomial name
Marmota caligata (Eschscholtz, 1829)

Basking behavior, Mount Rainier National Park

The hoary marmot (Marmota caligata) is a species of marmot that inhabits the mountains of northwest North America. The largest populations are in Alaska. Hoary marmots live near the tree line on slopes with grasses and forbs to eat and rocky areas for cover. It is the largest North American ground squirrel and is often nicknamed "the whistler" for its high-pitched warning issued to alert other members of the colony to possible danger. The animals are sometimes called "whistle pigs." Whistler, British Columbia, originally London Mountain because of its heavy fogs and rain, was renamed for these animals to help make it more marketable as a resort.^[2]

The "hoary" in their name refers to the silver-grey fur on their shoulders and upper back; the remainder of the upper parts are mainly covered in reddish brown fur. The underparts are greyish. They have a white patch on the muzzle and black feet and lower legs.

These animals hibernate 7 to 8 months a year in burrows that they excavate in the soil, often among or under boulders. Mating occurs after hibernation and 2 to 4 young are born in the spring. Males establish "harems," but may also visit females in other territories. Predators include golden eagles; grizzly and black bears; and wolves. Adult hoary marmots range between 17.6 to 22 lbs in weight and average 19.69 inches in length.^[3] In areas frequented by people, hoary marmots are not shy. Rather than running away at first sight, they will often go about their business while being watched.

Gallery

Foraging behavior and habitat, Mount Baker Wilderness

Hoary Marmot in Mount Rainier National Park

Marmota caligata near Helen Lake, Banff National Park, Canada.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Marmota caligata

• Carling, M. "Marmota caligata (hoary marmot)." Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan. 1999. [1]
• Marmota caligata (TSN 180139). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 18 March 2006.
• Thorington, R. W. Jr. and R. S. Hoffman. 2005. Family Sciuridae. Pp. 754-818 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.