The alpine marmot is one of the largest members of the squirrel family, found in the European Alps and other mountain ranges. Known for its loud whistle and social nature, this burrowing animal is well adapted to mountain life. Let’s dig into the world of the alpine marmot and learn what makes it such a fascinating creature!


What Makes Alpine Marmots So Unique?

  • Size and Strength

    Unlike their smaller mountain neighbor, the pika, alpine marmots are much larger, measuring 17-29 inches (43-73 cm) long. They may look cuddly, but these big burrowers are built for life in the high mountains.

  • Living in Colonies

    Alpine marmots are highly social and live in family groups. They dig large, complex burrows where they huddle together to stay warm during the cold winter months. Living in groups also helps them watch out for predators like eagles and foxes.

  • Whistling Alarms

    One of the marmot’s best defenses is its loud, whistling call. When a predator approaches, marmots whistle to warn the entire colony of danger, giving everyone time to hide in their burrows.

  • Hibernation Experts

    Marmots spend much of the summer eating grasses, herbs, and flowers to store fat for the winter. When the snow starts falling, they retreat to deep burrows and enter a state of dormancy, where they hibernate for up to NINE months. During this time, their heart rate and body temperature drop significantly to conserve energy.

Think about this...

Why do you think marmots hibernate for so long? What might happen if they didn’t?

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