Olympic Marmot
The olympic marmot inhabits the Olympic Peninsula in the western section of the state of Washington in northwestern U.S. Alpine meadows and slopes at elevations between 4800 and 5600 feet are inhabited by olympic marmots. They tend to favor slopes that are rocky and face south.
Olympic marmot
The head and body of the olympic marmot generally have a length between 46-53 cm and the tail is 18-25 cm long. The legs are 9.4-11.2 cm in length. The olympic marmot has a stocky appearance, with large shoulders and a wide head. Large, rounded claws are used for digging. The hair is brown with white intermixed for much of the year, but changes to a yellowish color in the summer due to sun bleaching.
Reproduction
Male olympic marmots have a harem of two females. Due to harsh environmental conditions, the estrus cycle occurs every two years in order to allow females to recuperate from raising a litter. The estrus cycles of the two females in the harem are usually alternated so that there is only female reproducing each year. Mating occurs about two weeks after hibernation ends. Gestation lasts 30-32 days and young are born in a burrow padded with grass. The litter size is usually 4-5 offspring. The offspring are sexually mature at the age of three.
Behavior
Olympic marmots are highly social and may live in groups of over a dozen animals. These groups usually include an adult male, two adult females, yearling offspring, and newborn offspring. Gregarious bonds are made between individuals in a family. Olympic marmots identify each other by touching noses and smelling of cheeks. This behavior, along with grooming, establishes the standing of each individual in the family. Little contact occurs with a neighboring group, though a border may be shared. Olympic marmots are diurnal and terrestrial animals. During the morning and afternoon on summer days, they feed and spend time sunbathing on rocks. In the evening, they return to their burrows. Well used trails connect their burrows. A mother and her offspring generally live in their own burrow. Adult males usually inhabit a burrow with one or two females. During hibernation, which lasts 3-9 months, all marmots in the group stay in the same burrow.
Food Habits
Olympic marmots eat herbs, grasses, and flowers. They prefer plants that are soft and easy to digest. They may also eat fruits, legumes, and insects. After coming out of hibernation, roots are the only source of food until vegetation growth begins. In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks (may need to be soaked), and rat or mouse mix, with bits of fruit or veggies regularly. Cheerios or wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild insects as they may carry parasites. Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor.
