Fauna
Mammal

Olympic Marmot

Marmota olympus

Also known as Olympic Peninsula Marmot

Olympic marmots thrive in subalpine meadows and scree slopes exclusive to Washington state's Olympic Mountains. These highly social rodents spend sunny summers foraging on alpine wildflowers and lounging on rocks, using loud whistles to alert their colony to overhead eagles or approaching coyotes. Winters are spent in extensive subterranean burrows, where tight-knit family groups hibernate together for up to eight months.

EndemicAlpineSocial
Olympic Marmot reference1 / 6
Helen Rickard from West Midlands, UK / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySubalpine Grasses, Lupine, Glacier Lily Bulbs
Predators
  • Coyote
  • Cougar
  • Golden Eagle
ThreatsCoyote predation, climate change, shrinking subalpine meadows
HabitatsSubalpine meadows, talus slopes, alpine scree
Life span10–14 years
Classification
  1. OrderRodentia
  2. FamilySciuridae
  3. GenusMarmota
  4. SpeciesMarmota olympus
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capable of a painful bite if cornered; keep a respectful distance and never feed.
What to notice
Look for a large, heavy-bodied rodent with yellowish-brown fur, a dark head with a white patch on the snout, and a bushy tail.
Support conservation
Observe strictly from established trails, keep dogs leashed, and avoid disturbing burrow entrances.
Responsible observation
  • Listen for whistles: A sharp whistle alerts the colony to danger and signals nearby presence.
  • Stay on marked trails: Subalpine meadow soils and burrow entrances erode quickly under foot.
  • Refrain from feeding: Human food disrupts natural diets and encourages unsafe habituation.
Related species
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