The Elusive Marmot

1.    Yes, they are real!

2.    Yes, they look like a Beaver or Groundhog.

3.    Their closest DNA relations are squirrels, however these guys are much bigger.

4.    A fully-grown adult weighs about 12kgs and can be the size of a medium dog.

5.    Mummy Marmot is leader of the pack.

6.    The pack are normally all related and can be 8-12 strong.

7.    They hibernate for the winter after feasting on Myrtle berries. Last one in the hole blocks up the entrance for the winter with shrubs. They all cuddle up and go to sleep. It’s minus 20 outside!

8.    When hibernating they may only breathe once every few minutes.

9.    They are normally found above 2,000 feet.

10. The adults take it in turns to be on look-out for predators, foxes and birds of prey.

11. When they see a predator, they let out a loud screech and the family will run quickly into their burrows.

Their diet consists of berries, roots, mosses, lichen, grasses and other plants and they hibernate from September to March/April. The one ‘on watch’ will emit a high pitch whistle when humans or danger is perceived and all will run straight to the burrow to hide. Blink and you’ll miss them. Their burrows are often near rocks, so look there!

Marmots play a vital role in the alpine ecosystem and biodiversity. Their burrowing aerates the soil which helps plants to grow and grazing influences vegetation in the meadows. They also serve as prey for some of the larger species found in the Alps.

Marmots can be seen at the start and towards the end of season when the snow starts clearing. We’ve spotted them all over the local area, particularly on the Petit St. Bernardo pass above La Rosiere, Tignes and evenway down in La Plagne Montalbert!

Finally, what do you call a group of Marmots? A Madness!