Family: Sciuridae, Squirrels view all from this family

Description Head and forepart of body mainly brown (fading to yellow by August), mixed with white guard hairs. Small ears. Prominent bushy tail. Short legs; dark brown feet. White incisors. L 17 3/4–31" (450–785 mm); T 7 5/8–9 7/8" (195–252 mm); HF 2 5/8–4 1/4" (68–110 mm).

Similar Species Hoary Marmot has prominent black and white coloration on head and forepart of body. Woodchuck is uniformly grizzled blackish or dark brown on head and upper body, and has dark brown to black feet. Yellow-bellied Marmot has conspicuous yellowish patches on sides of head and neck, and buffy or pale feet.

Breeding Generally 1 litter every other year, averaging 4 offspring. Gestation is 30–32 days.

Habitat Subalpine meadows and rocky slopes.

Range Olympic Mountains, Clallam County, Washington.

Discussion The Olympic Marmot is highly social and tolerant of close proximity to other individuals. It lives in colonies that usually consist of one male, two females, a litter of yearlings, and the new litter. Mating occurs shortly after emergence from hibernation, which lasts generally from September to March. The young disperse in their second year. This species eats green vegetation, including sedges, lupines, lilies, heather blossoms, and mosses. The Olympic Marmot’s overall color changes during the active season from brown in spring to yellow by August, apparently because of bleaching by sunlight.