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Project Noah Nature School
Marmota marmota
What could they possibly be telling each other? Most likely nothing. But that smell! Social contact plays a central role in the life of marmots. Marmots possess scent glands in their cheeks which they use to recognize one another. The individual in pics 3 and 4 may look like it's marveling at the surrounding landscape... it's just warming up and keeping a eye on predators.
Alpine meadow in a rocky area, 1800m ASL
Most individuals in this family group are a brood from the previous year. Local predators include eagles, foxes, and humans. Some farming practices are a threat as well. Alpine marmots are also threatened by climate change. Find out more here: https://thealpinemarmotproject.org/clima... The last shot shows the very top of the marmot's habitat, later in the year. Further up where no grass or flowers are left, enter the kingdom of rock, snow and ice and a feeling of total freedom. Even up there though, there's life. You just need to look.
Spotted on May 5, 2014
Submitted on May 1, 2019
15 Comments
Wood chucks are really ruff on the farmers.
Did you know woodchuck can't chuck wood
Wow! Beautiful creatures:)
Thank you all. It's about to get snowing again here this week-end, so my next visit to relatives of these critters is postponed. Freezing temperatures on ground surface at night too... testing times for marmots and their youngs.
Yes, a gorgeous series. Thanks for sharing, Daniele.
Wow. Gorgeous series, Danielle. Superb shots and that stunning view... Just magnificent.
When I was young I was taught it's not nice to whisper (secrets). Glad to know they are just smelling each other. I wasn't taught not to do that :-) Great shots Daniele, again. Your last picture looks way to cold for my jungle blood, but beautiful nonetheless. Thanks.
Thank you Greg and Mark 🙂
Ah wow! Fantastic captures Daniele 🙂
Too good. ;-)
Thank you mauna! I'm glad they've brightened your day. I thought I should mention these seemingly close and intimate scenes are shot from quite a safe distance (long end of a 150-600mm zoom) as to not disturb the animals and observe their natural behavior.
😍 Daniele, I’m in love with your shots of these sweet marmots!
Thank you Brian! Lots of late snow here this year too (winter came late). Can't wait to see more from Mt. Rainier! In the mean time I'm greatly enjoying your tide pools. All my pics from Wash. State are from pre-digital days... I've been planning on getting my slides scanned for ages but it never happened. Bayucca! A few more steps from there and it's your canton! It makes most of the habitat shot.
Very nice set, indeed!! Thanks, Daniele!
Super cute critters! That landscape is something to marvel at! I love the continuation! I cant wait to go back to Mt Rainier, but I'll have to wait a little longer there was a lot of late snow this year.