Marmots - Facts for Kids

Basic Information

Marmots are large ground squirrels that belong to the marmot group (called genus Marmota) in the rodent (gnawing animal) family.

There are 15 different types (species) of marmots found across the top half of the world (Northern Hemisphere), including the yellow-bellied marmot, alpine marmot, and groundhog (also called woodchuck).

The group name (collective noun) for marmots is a “colony,” and they often live together in family groups underground.

Marmots are mammals (animals that feed milk to their babies) in the class Mammalia, which means they have fur, give birth to live young, and feed their babies milk.

Most marmot types (species) live in mountainous areas, open meadows, or forest edges across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Marmots can live between 6–15 years in the wild, but some pet marmots (captive) have lived up to 18 years.

Marmots are one of the largest members of the squirrel family, weighing between 5–20 pounds (2.3-9 kg) depending on the type (species).

There are no special names for male and female marmots — they’re simply called male marmots and female marmots, while their babies are called pups.

Marmots are mainly plant-eaters (herbivores) who munch on grasses, herbs, flowers, seeds, fruits, and roots. They eat mostly plants — but very rarely, sometimes nibble on insects or eggs.

Marmots are day-active (diurnal) animals, which means they are active during daylight hours and sleep at night.

Physical Characteristics

Marmots range in length from 12-24 inches (30-60 cm), not including their bushy tail which adds another 6-10 inches (15-25 cm).

Marmots have special, curved digging claws on their front paws that work like little shovels to help them create their underground homes (burrows).

Marmots have 22 teeth, including large front teeth (incisors) that never stop growing throughout their lifetime.

An adult Olympic marmot is about the same size as a house cat but much stockier and heavier.

Marmots have thick fur that changes color with the seasons (seasonally) — often darker in winter and lighter in summer — to help them blend into their surroundings.

Marmots have special fat stored (reserves) under their skin that can make up to about one‑quarter to one‑third of their body weight before winter sleep (hibernation).

During hibernation, a marmot’s heart slows from around 100–200 beats per minute to about 4–9 beats per minute — an amazing drop!

Marmots have small, round ears that are nestled into their thick fur. This helps block dirt when they’re digging.

Marmots have excellent vision with eyes positioned on the sides of their heads, giving them a wide field of view to spot danger (predators).

Marmots have long, sensitive whiskers that help them navigate through dark underground tunnels.

A marmot’s body temperature drops from about 95°F (35°C) to about 36–41°F (2–5°C) during winter sleep (hibernation).

Behavior & Intelligence

Marmots are highly social animals that greet each other by touching noses and sometimes hugging.

Marmots communicate using different types of calls — whistles, chirps, and trills — to warn about danger (predators) or communicate with family members.

When a marmot sees danger, it will stand on its hind legs and give a loud whistle to warn the entire colony.

Marmots spend most of their day eating, watching for danger, and sunbathing on warm rocks.

Marmots can recognize individual family members by their scent and will greet them differently than they greet strangers.

Young marmots play-fight with each other, which helps them develop important survival skills they’ll need as adults.

Some marmot types (species) appoint “guard” (sentinel) marmots that take turns watching for danger while others feed.

Habitat & Survival

Marmot underground homes (burrows) can have multiple entrances, numerous rooms (chambers), and tunnels stretching up to and beyond 65 feet (ca. 20 m) long!

Alpine marmots live at very high elevations in Europe, surviving at heights up to 10,500 feet (3,200 meters) above sea level, making them among the highest-living mammals in Europe.

Marmots line their sleeping rooms (chambers) with soft grass, leaves, and moss to create a cozy nest for winter sleep (hibernation).

Marmots have special winter sleep homes (hibernation burrows) that are deeper than their summer homes (burrows), often extending below the frost line to stay above freezing temperatures.

Marmots often choose home locations (burrow) with a good view of the surrounding area, helping them spot danger (predators) more easily.

Marmots will warn other animals of danger, creating a mutual alarm system with birds and other mammals in their habitat.

Yellow-bellied marmots prefer rocky slopes because the cracks (crevices) provide quick escape routes from danger (predators).

Marmot homes (burrows) create homes for many other animals (species) after the marmots leave, including insects, reptiles, and small mammals.

Marmots in colder regions sleep through winter (hibernate) for up to 8 months of the year, one of the longest winter sleep periods of any mammal.

Marmots build special bathroom rooms (toilet chambers) in their homes (burrows), keeping their living spaces clean and sanitary.

Marmots must gain at least one-third of their body weight in fat before winter sleep (hibernation) to survive the winter without eating.

Life Cycle

Female marmots give birth to 3–8 pups after a pregnancy lasting about 30–35 days.

Baby marmots are born blind, hairless, and weighing about 30–40 grams, which is about the weight of a slice of bread.

Marmot pups open their eyes after about 3 weeks and come out of the home after about 1 month.

In some marmot species — like the Olympic marmot — young marmots stay with their parents for about two years before moving out to set up their own home!

Marmots reach adult size at about 2 years old, when they can begin to have babies of their own.

In some marmot species (types), older siblings help care for their younger brothers and sisters, a behavior called “helping with parenting” (alloparenting).

Marmots usually mate right after they wake up from winter sleep (emerge from hibernation) in early spring.

Diet & Feeding

Marmots eat many types of grasses, flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, herbs, and other plants, with their diet changing depending on what’s available in their habitat.

Marmots eat large amounts of plant material each day during summer to build up fat reserves for hibernation.

Marmots have special tiny living things (bacteria) in their stomachs (digestive systems) that help them break down tough plant materials.

Marmots don’t need to drink water often because they get most of the moisture they need from the plants they eat.