Marmot Gallery
Marmots are large furry members of the squirrel family. They are about the size of a small dog. They can be frequently seen and heard in mountainous terrain. Marmots typically live in burrows dug from the soil or within rockpiles. They hibernate in their burrows through the winter. Marmots are highly social animals and may be seen in families. To communicate, they whistle loudly, especially when alarmed.
In Washington State there are three distinct varieties of marmot. The Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata) lives in the Cascade Range, the Olympic Marmot (Marmota olympus) is endemic to the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and the Yellow-Bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) dominates the "desert" of central and eastern Washington. Marmots are mainly herbivorous. Their diet consists of grasses, berries, lichens, mosses, roots, and flowers.
The marmot should not be confused with the prairie dog which is smaller in size and more social. The prairie dog is not classified in the genus Marmota but in the related genus Cynomys. Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also called woodchucks, land-beaver or whistle-pigs are a very close relative of the marmot and are similar in size and appearance. It is the groundhog we celebrate every February 2nd as a symbol of the coming spring. According to legend, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow and sees his shadow we are in for 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow spring is right around the corner.
To view a large sized picture, click on the filmstrip image. To view this gallery as a slide show, click the play button or the arrow buttons. To learn the story behind the photo, click on any image as you scroll through the slide show. To view all my marmot images, go to my Marmot Gallery on Istockphoto. Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America. For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List.
In Washington State there are three distinct varieties of marmot. The Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata) lives in the Cascade Range, the Olympic Marmot (Marmota olympus) is endemic to the mountains of the Olympic Peninsula and the Yellow-Bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) dominates the "desert" of central and eastern Washington. Marmots are mainly herbivorous. Their diet consists of grasses, berries, lichens, mosses, roots, and flowers.
The marmot should not be confused with the prairie dog which is smaller in size and more social. The prairie dog is not classified in the genus Marmota but in the related genus Cynomys. Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also called woodchucks, land-beaver or whistle-pigs are a very close relative of the marmot and are similar in size and appearance. It is the groundhog we celebrate every February 2nd as a symbol of the coming spring. According to legend, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow and sees his shadow we are in for 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow spring is right around the corner.
To view a large sized picture, click on the filmstrip image. To view this gallery as a slide show, click the play button or the arrow buttons. To learn the story behind the photo, click on any image as you scroll through the slide show. To view all my marmot images, go to my Marmot Gallery on Istockphoto. Signed fine art prints from many of my photographs are available for purchase on Fine Art America. For special offers and to follow my photographic journey please Join My Email List.