Alpine Marmot (Marmota marmota)

OTHER NAMES: Marmot

Latin Etymology: Marmota ("Marmot") marmota ("Marmot")

Alpine Marmot (subspecies M. m. marmota) in the Dolomites, Italy - July 2004

Featured Subspecies: Marmota marmota marmota 
Weight: 2.8-3kg  /  Length: 42-54cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Alpine Marmot is one of the largest rodents in Europe - and indeed the joint largest of the entire squirrel family. It is found in mountain meadows in Southern and Central Europe where they form underground colonies on the slopes and retreat into their tunnels if they detect danger.  My sightings of them were in the Dolomites, but they can be found throughout other mountain ranges such as the Pyranees and, of course the Alps.  They graze on grasses and herbs but may also take grain and invertebrates to supplement their diets.

Related Species:
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
SUBSPECIES: M. m. marmota, M. m. latirostris

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Marmotta comune ("Common Marmot")

A fairly common resident of the high mountains.

 - DOLOMITES 2001 TRIP: A seen at various points in the Dolomites

Further Notes:  BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris)

OTHER NAMES: Rock chuck
Latin Etymology: Marmota ("Marmot") flaviventris ("yellow-bellied")

Adult Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) at Writing-on-Stone National Park, Alberta, Canada - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 1.6-5.2kg  /  Length: 47-68cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Found in dry and mountain areas of North America, Yellow-bellied marmots are a colonial species found usually at high altitudes in open terrain. As they hibernate, their weight fluctautes depending on the point of the year, with them gaining in weight as the Summer progresses to survive the Winter as they hibernate for up to 8 months a year.

Related Species:
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Range extends into Southern British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Alberta

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Groundhog (Marmota monax)

OTHER NAMES: Woodchuck, Chuck, Wood-shock, Groundpig, Whistlepig, Tickwood Badger, Canada Marmot, Land Beaver
Latin Etymology: Marmota ("Marmot") monax (Algonquian name for species)

Adult Groundhog (Marmota monax) at Buffalo River State Park, Minnesota, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: 2-6kg  /  Length: 41-68cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A large species of marmot found in North America, the Groundhog is unusual in that it favours lowlands compared to most marmots being species of rocky or mountainous area. They spend much of their times in burrows, which have two to five entrances and average an internal volume of 6 cubic feet in each den.  Famously, there are folk events called Groundhog Day in parts of the US where groundhogs are used to predict the arrival of spring.

Related Species:
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
SUBSPECIES: M. m. bunkeri, M. m. canadensis, M. m. ignava, M. m. johnsoni, M. m. monax, M. m. ochracea, M. m. petrensis, M. m. preblorum, M. m. rufescens

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found in East Lower 48 and Central Alaska
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Minnesota

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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