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Dereila Nature Inn Home > Woodlands Pathway > Mammals Wildzone > Walking in the Wild > Yellow-bellied Marmot

#7 - The Yellow-bellied Marmot

The Yellow-bellied Marmot, Marmota flaviventris, is one of four marmots found North America. It ranges from central British Columbia across to southern Alberta and south into Central California and east into Northern New Mexico.

Marmots are rodents and are in fact large ground squirrels. Yellow-bellied Marmots are about 20-25 in (50-65 cm) in length, have whitish-gray patches on the face, grizzled brown back, dark feet and legs, a dark bushy tail about 5-7 in (15-18) cm long.


Yellow-bellied Marmots are curious and watchful critters, often spending long periods of time standing on their hind legs on rocks surveying the surroundings while showing off a bright, yellowish tummy, after which they were named. They seem to live lazy lives, most of which is spent sleeping or basking in the sunshine. Considered omnivores, Yellow-bellies get most of their energy from grasses, fruits and other plant matter but will also eat insects and even carrion.

These are highly sociable animals living in colonies in rocky slopes in the mountains. Here it’s easier to hide from predators by scurrying under the rocks where they dig burrows and tunnels, hidden hidden from sight.
There seems to be a sense of order in the colony where one member is always responsible for watching out for trouble while the others are eating or playing. When danger is spotted they let out a loud shrill whistle.

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