When I first heard the name marmot, I thought they were just an outdoor clothing company. But marmots are these cute little animals that like living in the mountains.
These days, the marmots of Vancouver Island are being endangered due mainly to clear cut logging. The Marmot Recovery Foundation is set up to help preserve and protect these cute little creatures.
Vancouver Island marmot peeking out between the rocks. Photo from the Marmot Recovery Foundation.
Marmots are generally found living high up in the mountains. And they are scattered between North America to Europe.
The name marmot originated from the old French and Latin “marmotte” meaning mountain mouse. They are part of the squirrel family and related to the goundhog too. Marmots typically live in burrows, and hibernate there through the winter. They are highly social animals.
Here is a little bit of information on why they are endangered in Vancouver Island.
