How big is a yellow-bellied marmot?

3.7 kgAdult
Yellow-bellied marmot/Mass

How big can a marmot get?

about 42 to 72 cm
Marmots are the heaviest members of the squirrel family. Total length varies typically from about 42 to 72 cm (17 to 28 in) and body mass averages about 2 kg (41⁄2 lb) in spring in the smaller species and 8 kg (18 lb) in autumn, at times exceeding 11 kg (24 lb), in the larger species.

Can you eat a marmot?

The tarbagan marmot has been eaten for centuries in the native cuisine of Mongolia, and in particular in a local dish called boodog. The meat is cooked by inserting hot stones, preheated in a fire, into the abdominal cavity of a deboned marmot. The skin is then tied up to make a bag within which the meat cooks.

Are marmots friendly to humans?

Alpine marmots are well known for their friendly dispositions. Marmota marmota lives in monogomous family groups consisting of a parental breeding pair and many of their offspring (usually 15-20 individuals). Young are very playful and all ages engage in nose to nose greetings. They care for each other by grooming.

What do you call a baby marmot?

A male mates with several females and defends them from other male marmots. The gestation period of a female marmot is approximately 30 days. They can have a litter of 3 to 8 babies also known as pups.

What can I feed a marmot?

Marmots really like legumes; alfalfa might be a good thing to feed them if you’ve got access to fresh or dried alfalfa. Marmots love dandelions and cow parsnip. If they’re getting fresh vegetables, they’ll probably not need water.

Can I own a marmot?

It is illegal to own a marmot as a pet in the United States. Because marmots are wild animals, they do not make the best companions. Like all rodents, marmots’ teeth constantly grow, and thus they must chew a lot. This can result in extensive destruction when the animal is kept in a household.

Where are the yellow bellied marmots found?

Yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) are one of the 14 recognized species of marmots–cat-sized, ground squirrels found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The yellow-bellied marmot is widely distributed through the Rocky Mountains, the Intermountain West and the Sierra Nevada and White Mountains in California.

How big is a marmot and how big does it get?

Marmots are one of the largest members of the squirrel family. They can be two feet in length and weigh up to 11 pounds. Their large body size is an adaptation to the cold, high elevation sites in which they live. Marmots have reddish-brown fur and a yellow belly, from which they get their name.

Why are yellow bellied marmots called Whistle pigs?

Yellow-bellied marmots are also called “whistle pigs” because they produce high-pitched sounds to warn other group members about a predator. During hibernation, the metabolic and heart rate of marmots decrease and they use the body fat gained during the summer for energy to survive.

What kind of predator does a yellow bellied marmot fear?

These predators include foxes, dogs, coyotes, wolves, and eagles. Upon seeing a predator, the yellow-bellied marmot whistles to warn the others in the area, after which it typically hides in a nearby rock pile until there is no more threat.