How to Identify a Marmot

By eHow Hobbies, Games & Toys Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Look at the animal's size. Large varieties of marmot may be 2 feet long or more, but some may be smaller.
Step 2:
Look at the animal's body proportions. All varieties of marmot share the same body type, which is a stocky, thickset body with a short, broad head, short legs, small ears close to the head and a bushy tail.
Step 3:
Observe the animal's coloration. Many varieties of marmot are light brown or gray, with darker feet, dark patches on the face and lighter bellies. Different marmot varieties, however, can vary widely in coloration, from extremely variegated with very dark feet and a white spot on the face, to uniformly brown or reddish-brown.
Step 4:
Observe the animal's location. Marmots live in natural habitats around the world, but tend to be located in the northern United States, Canada, Alaska, Siberia, Asia and Europe, generally in alpine regions.
Step 5:
Make note of the animal's habitat. Marmots are burrowing animals and like to spend their time in rocky areas where they can find cover quickly.
Step 6:
Check the time. Marmots prefer to come out in the morning and afternoon, but can be spotted at other times of the day.
Step 7:
Check the calendar. Marmots hibernate in the winter, so you're not likely to spot one during cold weather, and you're most likely to spot one in the spring or early summer.
Step 8:
Observe the weather. Marmots like windy conditions to keep mosquitoes and other pests under control.
Step 9:
Listen for communication. Marmots communicate with one another through high-pitched whistles. If you hear a whistle, a marmot may have spotted you and is alerting his group.

Resources

See pictures and hear sounds from marmots from around the world at Marmot Burrow.

More Puppy Pages

How to Identify a Woodchuck

Instructions Step 1: Search for woodchucks in their natural habitats, which span from east-central Alaska and British Columbia to northern Idaho, through most of southern Canada and south to eastern Kansas, northern Alabama and Virginia. Woodchucks can...

Instructions Step 1: Identify a groundhog by its size. A groundhog looks similar to a common tree squirrel, but can grow much larger. An average groundhog measures 16 to 24 inches from nose to tail, weighing up to 10 lbs., but can grow much larger if...

Instructions Step 1: Look for a kangaroo-like appearance. Wallabies look like small kangaroos and share the same defining features, which include an upright posture, muscular hind legs and large feet and a heavy tail for balance. Step 2: Look for animals...

Instructions Step 1: Notice the head of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. It's quite broad, with a flat snout covered with fine whiskers. It has longish, pointy ears and sharp teeth. The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat shares the same features, although the...

Instructions Step 1: Note your location and time of year. Burrowing owls are found only in the mid to far west of the United States, and in some parts of extreme southern Florida. Though they winter in the extreme southwest of the U.S., they live as far...