National Park Service Klamath Inventory & Monitoring Network U.S. Department of the Interior Featured Creature - January 2008 Yellow-Bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) General Description: Where to see it in the Network: Behavior: Yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota Of the 11 M. flaviventrissubspecies, Yellow-bellied marmots are the best flaviventris) belong to the Sciuridae visitors may catch a glimpse of the studied marmot species. They have a family. They have the thickest build charismatic M. flaviventris flaviventris harem-polygnous social system, with of all Marmota species and weigh 2-5 at Lava Beds National Monument, a male defending his harem of 1-4 kg (4.4-11 lbs). The males are slightly Lassen Volcanic National Park, and females. Colonies (groups of harems heavier and larger than the females, Crater Lake National Park. in the same area) may have 10-20 indi- with males averaging 62 cm (25 in) viduals. About 90% of yellow-bellied and females 57 cm (23 in) in length. marmots live in these social groups. M. flaviventris is recognizable by Adult males are territorial and ago- its distinctive yellow-brown or tan, nistic towards each other; females white-tipped straight hairs; yellow- are amicable and often jointly raise speckled necks; white coloring be- the young. Each male marmot digs tween their eyes; and yellow or red- a burrow with several entrances in yellow bellies. However, melanism well-drained soil for his harem. The can be common south of the Rocky burrows are about 1 m (3.3 ft) deep, Mountains. The animal is diurnal with tunnels 10-70 m (33-230 ft) long and mostly terrestrial, although they between them! Hibernation burrows live in underground burrows and may be 5-7 m (16.5-23 ft) deep. These occasionally climb shrubs and trees. burrows are dug under rocks to

Wikipedia camouflage them from predators. If a Distribution: predator does come by, the marmots Yellow-bellied marmots are found make a variety of alarm calls to alert from south central British Columbia other members of the colony. M. and southern Alberta through the flaviventris spends the warm months western US. sunning, grooming, and foraging. In September, they enter the burrows Habitat: for a hibernation that lasts until May This marmot usually occupies open (depending on elevation). If all goes habitats, including alpine meadows, well, yellow-bellied marmots may talus fields, pastures, steppes, and live to be 15 years old. forest edges. Each male’s territory is about 6500 m2 (1.6 acres) and a Feeding: colony may be 20-30,000 m2 (5-7 Yellow-bellied marmots aren’t picky acres). The species is found in low to Wikipedia eaters. They eat the leaves and blos- mid elevations in the northern part soms of many plants, as well as grass- of its range, with presence occurring es, fruits, seeds, and the occasional in progressively higher elevations in bird egg or insect. M. flaviventris the southern portions of its range. In must fatten up through the summer the southern most extent of its range, in order to survive winter hiberna- the yellow-bellied marmot is only tion off of their fat reserves. found above 2000 m (6560 ft). M. flaviventris has been observed at up More Information: to 4100 m (13,450 ft). Frase, B. A., and R. S. Hoffmann. 1980. Marmota flaviventris. Status: Mammalian Species 135:1-8. M. flaviventris is common through- out their range. They have no special University of Michigan Museum of conservation status, but populations Sarr Daniel Zoology Animal Diversity Web in the Black Hills and on mountains Interesting Fact: in the southern part of the range may UCLA Marmot Burrow The only US holiday named after an be at risk due to isolation. animal, Groundhog Day, is named after a marmot! Klamath Inventory and Monitoring Network - Featured Creature Yellow-bellied Marmot - January 2008