Olympic Marmot: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Squirrels and Marmots · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. Its brown coat darkens over the summer, starting with two black patches on the shoulders. By autumn the marmot is almost black.
2. Olympic marmots talk in whistles. They have four different kinds, which sets them apart from their closest marmot cousins.
3. Friends say hello by touching noses. To play, two marmots rise up on their back legs and shove each other with their front paws.
4. In its deep winter sleep, its body cools to below 4 °C and its heart can slow to just three beats a minute.
5. Waking up in spring can be confusing. With landmarks still under snow, some marmots have been seen wandering about until they find their burrow.

The quiz

1. What colour is an Olympic marmot's coat by autumn?

• Pure white
• Almost black (correct)
• Bright orange
• Pale grey with stripes

Black fur spreads from the shoulders until the coat is almost black in autumn.

2. How many kinds of whistle do Olympic marmots use?

• One
• Two
• Ten
• Four (correct)

They have four whistle types, unlike their closest relatives.

3. How do Olympic marmots usually greet each other?

• By thumping the ground
• By wagging their tails
• By touching noses (correct)
• By bringing each other food

When they greet, they usually touch noses or nose to cheek.

4. How slow can a hibernating marmot's heart beat?

• Three beats a minute (correct)
• About 100 beats a minute
• It stops for the whole winter
• It speeds up instead

In deep hibernation the heart can slow to three beats per minute.

5. Why do some marmots wander around after waking in spring?

• Their landmarks may be covered in snow (correct)
• Their burrows were taken by foxes
• They are searching for water to drink
• Their eyes stay closed for weeks

Until they relearn landmarks hidden by snow, they may wander until they find their burrow.

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