A stocky golden-brown marmot of western mountains, often called the "rock chuck." Their colonies are among the most-studied mammals on earth thanks to decades of research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab.

Also called: Yellow-bellied Marmot, Rockchuck

Native status: Native to western US mountains

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 45–55 cm; tail 13–22 cm
Weight3–5 kg
LifespanWild 13–15 years
OrderRodentia
FamilySciuridae

§ Encyclopedia

The yellow-bellied marmot, also known as the rock chuck, is a large, stout-bodied ground squirrel in the marmot genus. It is one of fourteen species of marmots, and is native to mountainous and semi-arid regions of southwestern Canada and western United States, including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and the Great Basin, often living above 2,000 metres. The fur is mainly brown, with a dark bushy tail, yellow chest and white patch between the eyes, and they weigh up to approximately 5 kilograms. They are highly social creatures, living in burrows in colonies of up to twenty individuals. They are diurnal and feed on plant material, insects, and bird eggs. They hibernate for approximately eight months starting in September and lasting through the winter. They have an average lifespan of 15 years.

Source: Wikipedia — Yellow-bellied marmot Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium marmot with yellow-brown belly; brownish back; white nose patch.

Similar species. Other Marmota species (hoary, Olympic, Vancouver Island).

Voice. Loud whistles.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Grasses, forbs, occasional insects.

Behavior. Common western marmot. Hibernates 7–8 months annually. Subject of extensive behavioral research at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory.

§ Range

Rocky Mountains and Great Basin from southern Canada to northern New Mexico

§ Habitat

Mid- to high-elevation rocky areas, talus, alpine meadows

§ Threats

Climate-driven alpine vegetation changes, predator population shifts, recreational disturbance.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the yellow-bellied marmot is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support climate action. Maintain distance from talus slope colonies. Don't feed marmots.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
  • American Society of Mammalogists
  • IUCN Red List 2016