Olympic marmot (Marmota olympus) - Olympic National Park

These mammals are a product of Ice Age isolation; a species unique to the Olympic peninsula in northwest Washington state. Indeed, their habitat is largely contained within Olympic National Park. Their closest relatives within the marmot family are found across the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Vancouver Island in Canada. Marmots are relatives of the eastern woodchuck and are the largest members of the squirrel family found in the Park. Marmots live in colonies usually consisting of an adult male, two females, which normally breed only every other year, and their offspring. Marmots inhabit the high meadows of the Park as shown here and as hibernators live in multi-chambered burrows up to 15 feet (5m) deep. They are very sociable, gregarious animals communicating with a variety of whistles.This one posed for some minutes by his den about 30 feet (10m) off the Hurricane Hill trail near the summit. He or she appeared undisturbed by the human presence which included several loud and active small children. View is to the SSW.