2.7 Yellow-bellied Marmot, Marmota flaviventris (Audubon and Backman)
Arctomys flaviventris, A. flaviventer avarus, A. dacota, Marmota flaviventer, M. flaviventer avarus, or M. engelhardti (Frase and Hoffman 1980; Nagorsen 1990).
Yellow-footed marmot, rockchuck, mountain marmot (Whitaker 1980), yellow belly, yellow groundhog, or yellow whistler (Woods 1980).
The Yellow-bellied Marmot is found within the southern interior part of the province. More specifically, this marmot can be found from Hope to Trail, including the Okanagan, Nicola Valley, and southern Cariboo (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Stevens and Lofts 1988).
Ecoregions: Columbia Mountains, Fraser Plateau, Chilcotin Ranges, Pacific and Cascade Ranges, Thompson-Okanagan Plateaus, and Okanagan Range (adapted from Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Demarchi 1988).
Biogeoclimatic zones: For an indication of which biogeoclimatic zones are inhabited by the Yellow-bellied Marmot see Table 2. The Yellow-bellied Marmot is considered, by Meidinger and Pojar (1991) to be a "representative species" in the Bunchgrass, Ponderosa Pine, Interior Douglas-fir, and Interior Cedar-Hemlock biogeoclimatic zones (adapted from Wildlife Branch 1989).
The Yellow-bellied Marmot is not protected, as it is probably not in jeopardy (Stevens and Lofts 1988). It is on the provincial Yellow list.
The Yellow-bellied Marmot occupies dry areas of the province, and is found at highest densities where there is an abundance of broken rock to facilitate their semi-fossorial, burrowing habits, as well as providing them with a good vantage point for surveillance and a place for sunbathing (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974; Frase and Hoffman 1980; Stevens and Lofts 1988). These marmots will also venture into ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests, provided that there is sufficient rocky habitat to facilitate their burrowing (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974). Anderson et al. (1976a) reports that good burrowing habitat, and thus suitable denning sites, as the main limiting factor for the distribution of this marmot.
The Yellow-bellied Marmot is a herbivore that will consume a variety of plants including graminoids, forbs (especially dandelions (Taraxicum sp.) and clovers (Trifolium sp.), seeds, and roots (Frase and Hoffman 1980; Stevens and Lofts 1988). Feeding is generally concentrated near the safety of the marmot's burrows (Frase and Hoffman 1980).
The Yellow-bellied Marmot is typically bimodal in activity, with peaks in the early morning and late afternoon, while they escape the heat of mid-day in the buffered conditions of their burrows (Frase and Hoffman 1980; Barash 1989). However, a unimodal activity peak at mid-day has been observed during early spring, late summer, and in times of inclement weather (Barash 1989). The reason for this unimodal activity is the same in all cases; to make best use of what solar heat is available during these cooler days. The Yellow-bellied Marmot spends most of its above-ground activity feeding, sunbathing, and watching for predators (Frase and Hoffman 1980). For safety, movement of marmots is generally restricted to the vicinity of their burrows (Frase and Hoffman 1980).
The Yellow-bellied Marmot is only active for about four months of the year (from April to August) and spends the remaining eight months in a deep torpor within an underground hibernaculum (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Svendsen 1976; Frase and Hoffman 1980). Copulation occurs soon after the marmots emerge from hibernation (Nee 1969). An average litter of four or five young are born after a 30 day gestation period in early May (Nee 1969; Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Frase and Hoffman 1980). Marmots do not move significant distances from the safety of their burrows during any time of the year.
Wildlife managers should take care when handling this marmot, as it is a favoured host of the Dermacentor andersoni tick; the transmitter of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which may cause paralysis if contracted by humans (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Woods 1980).
Arctomys monax or Marmota ochracea (Nagorsen 1990).
Groundhog, (Nagorsen 1990), marmot (Whitaker 1980), or whistle pig (Woods 1980).
The Woodchuck has a disjunct distribution that is most easily described in terms of the three subspecies found within the province. Marmota monax canadensis is found within the Peace River District and East into Alberta, M. m. ochracea in the northwestern (Haines Triangle to Atlin) and north-central (Liard River) parts of the province, and M. m. petrensis from the Stikine River south to the Chilcotin River, and through the mountains east of the Fraser River to Revelstoke and Creston (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Nagorsen 1990).
Ecoregions: Boundary Ranges, Tatshenshini Basin, Northern Mountains and Plateaus, Liard Basin, Northern Rocky Mountains, Alberta Plateau, Fort Nelson Lowland, Central Rocky Mountains, Columbia Mountains and Highlands, Fraser Basin, Skeena and Omineca Mountains, Fraser Plateau, Nass Basin, and Nass Ranges (adapted from Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Demarchi 1988).
Biogeoclimatic zones: For an indication of which biogeoclimatic zones are inhabited by the Woodchuck, see Table 2. The Woodchuck is not considered, by Meidinger and Pojar (1991) to be a "representative species" in any of the biogeoclimatic zones (adapted from Wildlife Branch 1989).
The Woodchuck is on the provincial Yellow list.
The Woodchuck, like other marmots, excavates burrows for denning and nesting, and as such, prefers well drained soils, preferably on a slope, to reduce the risks of flooding (Banfield 1974; Woods 1980). The Woodchuck will make a home in alpine rock slides, but is more frequently found in open parkland or field-edge habitats (Cowan and Guiguet 1973). Woods (1980) states that woodchucks often use two different habitats during the course of the year, locating their burrows within pasture or field-type habitat during the active season because of high forage potential and then relocating to the sheltered habitat of a forest edge for preferred burrowing sites under the protective roots of trees for hibernation.
Woodchucks are primarily grazers of green plants and consume many of the herbs and grasses found within their range (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974). Woods (1980) noted dandelion (Taraxicum sp.), clover (Trifolium sp.), and alfalfa (Medicago sp.) to be this marmot's favourite plants. Woodchucks will also make an occasional meal of ground-nesting birds and large insects (Banfield 1974). During early spring, before the flush of new growth, this marmot has been observed feeding on the bark and twigs of trees (Banfield 1974; Woods 1980).
The Woodchuck, like other marmots, is bimodal in activity and will change to unimodal activity during cooler parts of the active season or during inclement weather (see Yellow-bellied Marmot (2.7) - Daily activity and movement patterns" for more detail) (Barash 1989). Although woodchucks will venture considerable distances from the safety of their burrows to forage, they can usually be found close to their burrows (Banfield 1974).
Woods (1980) noted that woodchucks enter hibernation in September and October and emerge from hibernation during March. As with all hibernating squirrels, there is considerable variation in the timing of these events as they are influenced by latitude, altitude, slope, and aspect of the woodchuck's habitat (Barash 1989). An average of four young per litter are born in May (only litter of the year) after a gestation period of 31 to 32 days (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974; Woods 1980).
The woodchuck, although capable of a variety of vocalizations, is atypically silent for this genus (Cowan and Guiguet 1973). This marmot is also unique in that it only rarely shares a den with a conspecific, and has received its specific name of "monax" (monax is a Latin word meaning "solitary") because of its predominantly solitary nature (Banfield 1974; Woods 1980).
Arctomys caligatus, A. okanaganus, Marmota okanagana, M. oxytona, or M. sibila (Nagorsen 1990).
Whistler (Nagorsen 1990), white whistler, whistler of the rocks (Woods 1980), rockchuck, or mountain marmot (Whitaker 1988).
The Hoary Marmot has the most extensive range of the four marmots found in this province (Cowan and Guiguet 1973). Stevens and Lofts (1988) sum up this marmot's distribution as the mountainous areas of the mainland at high elevations.
Ecoregions: All except four of the mainland ecoregions. The hoary marmot does not appear to be found within the Fort Nelson Lowland, Nass Ranges, Okanagan Range, and Thompson-Okanagan Plateaus (adapted from Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Demarchi 1988).
Biogeoclimatic zones: For an indication of which biogeoclimatic zones are inhabited by the hoary marmot, see Table 2. The hoary marmot is considered, by Meidinger and Pojar (1991) to be a "representative species" in the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir and Alpine Tundra biogeoclimatic zones (adapted from Wildlife Branch 1989).
The Hoary Marmot is not protected, as it is probably not in jeopardy (Stevens and Lofts 1988). It is on the provincial Yellow list.
The Hoary Marmot is essentially a high elevation species that prefers boulder-filled, alpine meadow habitats (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974; Woods 1980; Stevens and Lofts 1988). This marmot will occupy lower elevations where there is a sufficient amount of rocky habitat, as provided by rock-slides (Cowan and Guiguet 1973). This rocky habitat is required to facilitate a well structured tunnel network which is used for thermal cover from temperature extremes, and escape cover from predators, such as the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) that would otherwise dig them up, and to provide a good post for sunbathing and alarm calling (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974; Stevens and Lofts 1988).
The Hoary Marmot is a generalized herbivore that will consume most of the herbs and forbs found near its den (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974). Woods (1980) states that its large appetite is the Achilles heel of this marmot, as distant foraging pastures will often lead the hoary marmot 200 to 300 m away from the safety of its burrows.
The Hoary Marmot, like other marmots, is bimodal in activity and will change to unimodal activity during cooler parts of the active season or during inclement weather (for more detail, see Yellow-bellied Marmot (2.7) - Daily activity and movement patterns") (Barash 1989). This colonial marmot is especially tolerant of its conspecifics, and spends considerable time each day socializing, as well as feeding and sunning (Banfield 1974; Woods 1980). As mentioned above, the Hoary Marmot will venture considerable distances from its den in search of good foraging opportunities (Woods 1980).
The Hoary Marmot is typical of all marmots in that it spends most of the year (eight months) in hibernation. This marmot is generally only active from April to late August. It mates soon after emergence in April or May, gives birth to an average litter size of four or five after a 29 day gestation period, and then accumulates enough fat reserves to fuel its metabolism for another eight months of hibernation (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Banfield 1974; Woods 1980; Stevens and Lofts 1988).
Banfield (1974) states that the Hoary Marmot is the largest of all North American marmots, weighting up to 13.6 kg (30 lbs). Although all marmots are capable of vocalizations, this marmot is known as the champion whistler, as is evident by its array of common names. Its vocalizations have been described as a long shrill whistle, like that of a familiar police whistle (Banfield 1974).
None (Nagorsen 1990).
Vancouver Marmot (Nagorsen 1990) or little brown pig (Woods 1980).
The Vancouver Island marmot is confined to the mountains of central and south Vancouver Island). More specifically, this marmot has been found from Jordan River north to the Forbidden Plateau (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Nagorsen 1987), however, Munro et al. (1985) report that their distribution has increased since the 1970's.
Ecoregions: Western Vancouver Island and Eastern Vancouver Island (adapted from Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Demarchi 1988).
Biogeoclimatic zones: For an indication of which biogeoclimatic zones are inhabited by the Vancouver Island Marmot, see Table 2. The Vancouver Island Marmot is not considered, by Meidinger and Pojar (1991) to be a "representative species" in any of the biogeoclimatic zones (adapted from Wildlife Branch 1989).
The Vancouver Island Marmot is the rarest of all North American marmots, and as such, was officially designated an endangered species by Order in Council of the Province of British Columbia in March of 1980 (Munro et al. 1985). It is on the 1998 provincial red list.
The Vancouver Island Marmot prefers alpine or subalpine meadow habitat from 975 to 1430-m (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Munro et al. 1985). Nagorsen (1987) also noted that this marmot prefers steep south facing slopes where snow creep and avalanches inhibit the establishment of trees, which in return, promotes forage rich, meadow habitat. The artificially created treeless environment of ski slopes has also been used by the Vancouver Island Marmot (Munro et al. 1985; Ministry of Environment 1991).
The Vancouver Island Marmot is a herbivore that will eat many of the plants found within the alpine or subalpine habitat it inhabits (Nagorsen 1987). Milko (1984) noted that graminoids are the most important food source in early spring, whereas, forbs make up the majority of their diet in summer (as cited in Nagorsen 1987).
The Vancouver Island Marmot, like other marmots, is bimodal in activity and will change to unimodal activity during cooler parts of the active season or during inclement weather (Nagorsen 1987) (for more detail, see Yellow-bellied Marmot (2.7) - Daily activity and movement patterns") (Barash 1989). This marmot spends the majority of each active day foraging and resting near its burrows (Nagorsen 1987).
The Vancouver Island Marmot spends the majority of each year (seven to eight months) in hibernation from early October to early May (Nagorsen 1987). Rates of behavioural patterns, including greeting and play-fighting, are highest during June, and decline from July up until hibernation (Nagorsen 1987).
The Vancouver Island Marmot is the only mammalian species endemic to Canada that has been classified as an endangered species (Nagorsen 1987). This endangered status requires that extra care be taken not to disrupt or harm this species in any way during investigations of its abundance.
Eutamias amoenus (Cowan and Guiguet 1973), E. ludibundus, E. canicaudus, E. caurinus (Sutton 1992), Tamias quadrivittatus felix or T. quadrivittatus luteiventris (Nagorsen 1990).
Other common names
Northwestern chipmunk (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Woods 1980; Nagorsen 1990).
The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is found in the central and southern parts of the province. More specifically, this chipmunk is distributed from the rocky mountains to the southern coast and north to the Skeena Valley through the central plateau (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Stevens and Lofts 1988; Nagorsen 1990).
Ecoregions: Southern Rocky Mountains, Southern Rocky Mountain Trench, Columbia Mountains and Highlands, Fraser Basin, Skeena and Omineca Mountains, Nass Basin, Nass Ranges, Coastal Gap, Fraser Plateau, Chilcotin Ranges, Thompson-Okanagan Plateaus, Okanagan Range, Pacific and Cascade Ranges, and Lower Mainland (adapted from Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Demarchi 1988).
Biogeoclimatic zones: For an indication of which biogeoclimatic zones are inhabited by the Yellow-pine Chipmunk, see Table 2. The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is considered, by Meidinger and Pojar (1991), to be a "representative species" in the Coastal Western Hemlock, Ponderosa Pine, Interior Douglas-fir, Sub-boreal Pine--Spruce, and Sub-boreal Spruce biogeoclimatic zones (adapted from Wildlife Branch 1989).
The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is not protected as it is probably not in jeopardy (Stevens and Lofts 1988). It is on the provincial Yellow list.
The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is typically found in an open forest habitat (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Stevens and Lofts 1988). Broken habitat with shade, perches, and good shrub cover are preferred (Sutton 1992). This chipmunk is generally thought of as a medium elevation species, however, it will inhabit areas up to treeline (Cowan and Guiguet 1973).
The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is omnivorous and will consume a variety of food items including seeds, bulbs, tubers, insects, bird eggs, berries, flowers, green foliage, roots, small animals, and buds (Sutton 1992). Chipmunks rely heavily on coniferous seed for their winter caches (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Stevens and Lofts 1988; Sutton 1992).
The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is typical of all of the chipmunks found in B.C., in that they are diurnal, rising with sunup and disappearing into their nest around sundown (Banfield 1974; Woods 1980; Sutton 1992). Their activity is most intense in the early morning and late afternoon, however, cool and windy weather will cause chipmunks to seek shelter and concentrate their activity during the warmer noon-hours (Sutton 1992). These solitary animals spend much of their active days eating or gathering food and grooming (Banfield 1974; Woods 1980; Sutton 1992). Although chipmunks are ground dwelling squirrels they are skilled tree climbers and have been observed climbing up to 30-m in search of coniferous seed (Woods 1980; Sutton 1992).
The Yellow-pine Chipmunk is only active for about seven months of the year; from April to September or October (Cowan and Guiguet 1973; Sutton 1992; ). The remainder of the year is spent in an intermittent state of hibernation (Sutton 1992). Unlike true hibernating squirrels, such as the marmots (Marmota) and ground squirrels (Spermophilus), chipmunks do not put on an extra layer of fat to fuel their metabolism throughout the winter, rather, they store caches of food within their underground winter dens. Chipmunks revive themselves from their state of torpor approximately every two weeks in order to feed and pass wastes (Stebbins and Orich 1977; Sutton 1992). Breeding commences soon after emergence from hibernation, an average litter size of six (the only litter of the year) is borne in May after a gestation period of 28 days (Woods 1980; Sutton 1992).
Where Yellow-pine and Least Chipmunks (Tamias minimus) habitat overlap, the Yellow-pine Chipmunk will usually dominate, forcing the Least Chipmunk into higher, less favoured habitat (Sheppard 1969; Sutton 1992).