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Hoary Marmot

The hoary marmot is a species of marmot that inhabits the mountains of northwest North America. They live near the tree line on slopes with grasses and flowers to eat and rocky areas for cover. It is the largest North American ground squirrel and is often nicknamed "the whistler" for its high-pitched warning issued to alert other members of the colony to possible danger. The animals are sometimes called "whistle pigs." Whistler, British Columbia, originally London Mountain because of its heavy fogs and rain, was renamed for these animals to help make it more marketable as a resort.
I think I might like to be one of these guys in my next life. They hibernate 7 - 8 months out of the year and Males establish "harems," but may also visit females in other territories.The "hoary" in their name refers to the silver-grey fur on their shoulders and upper back, not their mating behaviors!
Adult hoary marmots range between 17.6 to 22 lbs in weight and average 19.69 inches in length.

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Uploaded on Jul 10, 2009

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