Yellow-bellied marmot

yellow-bellied marmot Marmota flavientris

Order Rodentia Rodents

• Animals with 2 upper & 2 lower incisors and no canines
• Of all mammals, has the most number of worldwide species

Family Sciuridae Squirrel Family (tail always completely haired)

Subfamily Sciurinae  Marmots, ground squirrels, chipmunks, & tree squirrels

• Tail usually bushy
• 4 toes on front feet, 5 toes on hind feet
• Internal cheek pouches in ground squirrels & chipmunks)

Yellow-bellied marmot 1 of 4 species of marmots in Pacific NW & Canada Largest members of squirrel family.

Description:

• No internal cheek pouches.
• Do not cache food; instead store as layers of body fat
• Dormant for much of the year (depends on elevation & location) with summer and winter hibernation
• Herbivores: green forbs and grasses.
• Eaten by badgers, coyotes, eagles, owls, and hawks.