Chester Zoo 

Prairie Marmot

These animals are light buff coloured with the lower half of the tail being black. They grow an extra thick under layer of fur in winter for increased warmth, but this is shed in spring and summer. Females are smaller than males but otherwise similar in appearance. They are active during the day until about mid-afternoon, resting at night, but they do not undergo a full hibernation in winter.

What they eat

Grasses and herbs.

How long they live

Between three and seven years.

Biology

Prairie Marmots live in elaborately built burrows called ‘towns’ due to the labyrinthal nature of the various tunnels. Each town is inhabited by up to 50 animals, led by a dominant male.
A mound of earth is constructed at the entrance to the burrow and used by ‘look outs’ from the group which will make an alarm call if predatory birds or other mammals approach. This call signals fellow marmots to retreat to the safety of the burrow.
Females give birth to a litter of about four pups each year. These are born bald and with their eyes close, but develop fur after a few weeks. They are weaned after about seven weeks and reach full size at about five months old.

Did you know?

Prairie dogs communicate with each other via a sophisticated system of high pitched ‘yips’ and barks.