marmot

Marmot is a common name for a group of large, ground-dwelling rodents in the genus Marmota, part of the family Sciuridae. Marmots are found across the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, in alpine meadows, subalpine forests, and open grasslands. They are diurnal, social animals that live in colonies and excavate extensive burrow systems. Adults have stout bodies, short limbs, and a bushy tail; size varies among species.

Marmots are herbivorous, feeding mainly on grasses, herbs, mosses, seeds, and bark, with occasional insects. They store fat before hibernation and enter long winter dormancy in underground hibernacula. Depending on species and climate, hibernation can last several months; alpine marmots may hibernate longer than lowland species. They rely on vocal warning calls to alert colony members to predators such as wolves, foxes, eagles, and humans.

Reproduction occurs in spring, with litters typically ranging from two to six offspring. The young are altricial and depend on parental care for several weeks. Lifespans vary by species and environment; many marmots live several years in the wild, with some reaching a decade or more in favorable conditions.

There are about 15–20 species, including the alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) and the North American groundhog or woodchuck (Marmota monax). Marmots face threats from habitat loss and hunting in some regions, but several species are listed as Least Concern due to wide distribution and adaptable behavior.