MARMOT 159 



Occurrence. — Common resident, chiefly in Hudsonian Zone. Recorded from near 

 Porcupine Flat and near Merced Lake eastward to Leevining Creek and to Silver Lake. 

 Altitudinal range 7500 to 11,500 feet. Inhabits meadowland, especially where adjoined 

 by rock slides or large boulders which afford protection for burrows. Solitary. Diurnal. 



The largest member of the squirrel tribe in the Yosemite region is the 

 Sierra Marmot which inhabits the high Sierras between altitudes of 7500 

 and 11,500 feet. It is a ground and rock dwelling species, several times 

 the size of the California Ground Squirrel, Besides the name marmot this 

 animal is often called woodchuck and ground hog. The latter name is 

 not altogether inappropriate, as it suggests the terrestrial habitat of the 

 animal and also its stout body and rather heavy gait. The marmot is a 

 species likely to be seen by any visitor to the higher parts of the region, 

 as it is, like the ground squirrels, abroad during the daylight hours through- 

 out the summer season. 



In general demeanor the Southern Sierra Marmot is a lazy appearing 

 animal. When not feeding, it spends much of its time sprawled out in 

 the sunshine. If a person approaches a resting marmot on its rock the 

 animal 'comes to attention' by 'gathering' its feet so that it may, if neces- 

 sary, move off quickly. At the same time it gives its sharp whistle, which 

 may be taken up and repeated by other marmots in the vicinity. If the 

 person is not in clear view the marmot will sometimes stand up on its 

 hind legs, after the manner of a ' picket-pin. ' Then it may utter its whistle 

 several times. If frightened enough to cause it to go below-ground, the 

 animal usually does not appear again for some time. With a marmot that 

 is foraging out in a meadow its first action, on the advent of danger, real 

 or supposed, is to run for its burrow. Like a ground squirrel it usually 

 takes further account of circumstances, at a point just short of the entrance, 

 before proceeding farther. When undisturbed a marmot moves at a slow 

 walk. But when frightened it 'gallops,' bear-like, at about the rate that 

 a man can run over the uneven surface of a mountain meadoAv. 



The marmot and badger are sometimes confounded by the casual 

 observer. They are of the same general size, with rather stout bodies and 

 short legs and tails, and both are ground dwellers. But here the resem- 

 blance ends. The marmot has a face which is marked chiefly with yellow 

 and brown (pi. 2) ; that of the badger is conspicuously black and white 

 (pi. 24) ; the marmot has no white streak over the head while the badger 

 has such a mark. The badger travels steadily, with its body very low and 

 close to the ground ; the marmot, especially when excited, gallops along, 

 with undulatory movements of the body. The marmot is strictly vegetarian 

 in diet, whereas the badger is a hunter and subsists upon flesh. The 

 burrow of the marmot is usually under some rock or tree; whereas the 

 badger as a rule sinks its burrow in wholly open ground. 



