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Marmota marmota
While alpine marmots are generally very shy, this one let me get within about 10m before disappearing under the rocks. The animal's thick coat and teeth can be noticed. On the second shot you can see that the marmot's thumb has no claw but a nail.
Native to the European Alps. They prefer alpine meadows and high-altitude pastures above the tree line and live in deep burrow systems, where they hibernate huddled next to each other from October to April. Spotted here at 2200 m ASL.
Weighing up to 8 kg, alpine marmots are one of the largest of the Sciuridae. Their coat goes from dark brown to blonde though grey. You hear them before you see them! Marmots will whistle to each other warning for predators such as eagles. It is common to find an individual watching out for the colony from an elevated rock position as shown here.
Spotted on Jul 24, 2011
Submitted on Jul 26, 2011
13 Comments
Thanks for your comment Hayde! If you hear them whistling look very carefully, with binoculars if possible: they should be visible.
Great spotting! I've always wanted to see one, looked around carefully but nothing :( I've only heard their funny whistles! They are so lovable :)
You have taken the pains to give us a very good spotting, nothing great about me :-)
Thanks again Satyen. Youre very kind.
Eventually when you got the chance of getting close, it is evident that you made the best out of it. Superb.
;-)
At least you have the 300mm ;-)
Thanks Nicole! It's still at the long end of a 300 mm zoom...
What a little Beauty!
Lucky you that this one let you get so close :-)!
Thank you Satyen! I hear and see them relatively often but can rarely get that close.
Lovely catch.
A poser indeed Yulia! I'm sure he's not freezing, but I'm also not quite sure what they're making of having snow in July, even though it's not unheard of. Going into hibernation now would not be a good idea as they haven't accumulated enough body fat yet. Maybe a "little sleep" till thinks get warmer again!
what a poser )))), hope it's not freezing