Hoary Marmot

## Description

Hoary marmots are the largest North American ground squirrels. The word "hoary" refers to the silver-gray fur on their shoulders and upper back; the remainder of the upper parts have drab- or reddish-brown fur. The head is black on the upper surface, with a white patch on the muzzle, and white fur on the chin and around the lips. The feet and lower legs are black, sometimes with white patches on the forefeet. The tail is long, slightly flattened, and covered with dense fur.

## Distribution

Hoary marmots are found in northwest North America. They occur from southern Washington and central Idaho north and are found through much of Alaska south of the Yukon River. These animals inhabit mainly mountainous alpine environments, in rocky terrain or alpine meadows dominated by grasses, sedges, herbs, and Krummholz forest patches.

## Behavior

Hoary marmots are diurnal being active during the day. They live in colonies of up to 36 individuals. Each colony includes a single, dominant male, up to 3 females, sometimes with a subordinate adult male, and a number of young and subadults up to 2 years of age. Hoary marmots hibernate 7-8 months a year in burrows they excavate in the soil, often among or under boulders. Each colony typically maintains a single burrow for hibernation and a number of smaller burrows that they use for sleeping and refuge from predators. Each colony digs an average of 5 such burrows a year, and a mature colony may have over a hundred. Closer to hibernation time Hoary marmots like to socialize through play fighting, wrestling, social grooming, and nose-to-nose touching. These animals use at least seven distinct types of calls, including chirps, whistles, growls, and whining sounds. Many of these calls are used as alarms, alerting other animals to potential predators.

## Diet

Hoary marmots are herbivores (folivores). They feed on leaves, flowers, grasses, mosses, lichens, and sedges.

## Reproduction

Hoary marmots are usually monogamous, mating with the same partner more than once. However, southern populations are suggested to be both monogamous and polygynous. These marmots breed shortly after hibernation in May and in some areas (such as the eastern Cascade foothills of Washington State) as early as February. Females give birth to 2-5 young between late May and mid-June. The gestation period usually lasts 25 to 30 days. The young emerge from their birth den at 3-4 weeks of age, by which time they are fully furred and are already beginning to be weaned. Subadults remain with their birth colony but typically leave at 2 years of age. They reach reproductive maturity the following year.

## Population

### Threats

There are no major threats to Hoary marmots at present.

### Number

According to IUCN, the Hoary marmot is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

## Fun Facts

Hoary marmots are often called "the whistlers" for their high-pitched warning issued to alert other members of the colony to possible danger. These animals are also sometimes called "whistle pigs".

Hoary marmots like to sun themselves on rocks, spending as much as 44% of their time in the morning doing so, although they will shelter in their burrows or otherwise seek shade in, especially in warm weather. They forage for the rest of the day, returning to their burrows to sleep during the night.

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.

Marmot fat or "mankei fat" has long been considered a relief for arthritic pain. For about 100 years, people have been rubbing marmot fat onto their bodies for this purpose.

The Hoary marmot is reportedly the largest member of the squirrel family, though the slightly lighter Alpine marmot is sometimes titled this as well.