The Yellow-bellied Marmot is a large, ground-dwelling squirrel of western mountain slopes recognized by its tawny yellow belly and grizzled brown back. It hibernates for up to eight months of the year, losing nearly half its body weight before emerging in spring. Marmots live in small colonies with a dominant male and use a shrill alarm whistle—earning them the local name 'whistle-pig'—when predators approach.
Best time to see a Yellow-bellied Marmot
The best time to see a Yellow-bellied Marmot is May–July, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 18,347 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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Recent Yellow-bellied Marmot sightings near you
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