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Region: North America Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Sciuridae Genus: Marmota Scientific Name: Marmota vancouverensis
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Description:
Marmots can weigh 4 to 7 kg and are the largest members of the squirrel family.
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Distribution:
Only found on Vancouver Island. How the Marmot became established on the Island is unknown.
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Habitat:
Forest openings and alpine slopes
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Food:
Vancouver Island marmots are herbivores, feeding on more than 50 plant species. During the spring they feed berries, roots bark and on grasses and early-blooming flowers. During the summer they eat flowers, berries, grasses and leaves.
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Reproduction and Development:
Most animals do not breed until their fourth summer. Litters of up to 3 young are born after a gestation estimated at 30 day. May reproduce only every second year.
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Adaptations:
This marmot lives at the top or base of slopes with a southern exposure. Burrows are dug between rocks which provide protection from predators. They live in harmony, but are territorial. They have a “pecking order” lead by adult males, followed by females, then 2 year old males and females, then 1 year old males and at the bottom year old females. This may seem chauvinistic but it is observed that the most aggressive members are the adult females.
They are described as extremely vigilant, perhaps because their colouration makes them conspicuous against rocks and greed growth. Marmots are true hibernators, for 6 months the entire family of 15 or so animals huddle together. With outside temperature below freezing their body temperature can drop to 4.5 - 7.5C. Every 3-4 weeks they awaken to defecate and urinate.
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Threats to Survival:
Predators include, Golden Eagle, Red tail Hawk, Puma, Black Bear and Humans. The Species is highly vulnerable to extinction and have been saved by the work of the Vancouver Island Marmot Preservation Committee. In 1982 there were only 6 active colonies, perhaps no more than 100 individuals.
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Status:
Critically endangered
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The New Tundra Trek