We drove past some marmots on rocks right next to the north side of Yellowstone Lake the other day. We normally just drive by them but I got to thinking about two things: Marmots don’t get much respect, from me anyway, and they will soon be hibernating. I don’t know why they start hibernating so early. Ground squirrels start even earlier, around August 20th.
Marmots are rodents and are actually really big squirrels. All rodents have several things in common but the most obvious is two incisors on the top and two on the bottom without any canine teeth. Their incisors are unusual because they are constantly growing. That is because they chew on such strong materials like nuts and trees. If a rodent is feed soft foods its upper incisors will curve and grow into its chin. The lower incisors will grow into its nose. Never feed any rodent soft, human food.
Marmots have several different common names. They are usually called ground hogs in the East and marmots in the West.
They are highly social animals. Where you find one you will usually find more. They are particularly fun to watch during mating season when the males fight for females. They don’t seem to have serious fights, just occasional boxing matches with both males on their hind legs. They give a high-pitched whistle when they see golden eagles or some other predator. Some live at relatively high elevations near pikas who use the marmot’s alarm calls to warn them of danger.
Our photos are available at www.vernelehmberg.com.
What; you don’t carry around a bag of walnuts in the shell?
I guess I will have to start doing that!!