www.wta.org August 2008 » Washington Trails Backcountry «

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The whistling call of the marmot is one of signature sounds of the alpine high country. Pam Roy Marmot Tales Inside the life of those whistling kings of the alpine high country

“Hey, get outta my pack!” eagles, hawks or bears. Marmots in areas Our trail crew was carrying 50-pound bags of seldom visited by people will retreat to safety topsoil up the slopes above Paradise at Mount once the alarm is sounded. Those habituated to Rainier on a revegetation project. A couple of the presence of humans may stand up on their plump, persistent marmots—seemingly unappre- hind legs to keep an eye on the passing hiker, ciative of our work to restore their natural food or even beg for food. As with any wildlife, they source—were raiding our backpacks. should not be fed. Marmota caligata, commonly known as the Mating occurs in spring. Couples may court hoary marmot, lives in some pretty scenic by making mewing sounds or play-wrestling neighborhoods. The namesake silvery grey fur and showing their teeth. Litters are born a on their shoulders and backs helps them blend month later; the babies are blind and have no in with the talus slopes or rocky outcroppings fur. The colony of “aunts and uncles” help keep near treeline. Feet and legs are black, the belly an eye on the young once they emerge from the whitish. Reaching 27-32 inches long, with a den. Adults take turns as the sentinel guard, reddish-brown bushy tail, they weigh 11 to 15 perching on prominent rocks. Males may have pounds. While volunteering at Mount Rainier, more than one mate as the stress of providing I’ve had visitors excitedly ask me about the “lit- nutrition for a litter for an entire season can tle bear” they saw, showing me a picture of a make a female incapable of having a litter the marmot. The hoary marmot ranges from north- following spring. ern Alaska through the Cascades and Rocky By the time fall arrives, these critters have Mountains to Montana and central Idaho. put on a lot of fat, perhaps half their body Small mounds of soil may indicate the entry weight. The vegetation near their burrows may to a marmot den, which are burrowed up to appear clipped almost like a lawn. An individu- six feet underground and usually have several al marmot may chase others away from areas it entrances. The nest den may be lined with considers its food source. grasses. Marmots are social animals; they Two other species of marmots are found in live in colonies. Families of up to fifteen may Washington. The Olympic marmot (Marmota snuggle together in the den to keep warm dur- Olympus) is found only on the Olympic pen- ing hibernation (late September to April). Being insula. The yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota diurnal, they emerge from the den on warm, flaviventris) has a range that overlaps with the sunny days, preferring to spend windy, wet or hoary marmot, but these animals tend to live at snowy days inside. lower elevations. Most hikers have heard the piercing shrill Marmots spend their days voraciously feeding Pam Roy whistle of the sentinel marmot keeping an eye on sedges and broadleaf alpine greenery, pass- Pam Roy is a WTA out for intruders. This whistle alarm gives them ing lazy afternoons draped over sun-warmed member from the nickname “whistle pig.” Different calls indi- rocks or playing tag and wrestling in the mead- Everett. cate differing levels of urgency or the presence ows. What a life!  of predators, including foxes, coyotes, golden