The marmot’s home is either in a burrow dug in open ground or under boulders or in cavities under rockslides. In this den, the young, numbering from four to six, are born in May. The adults usually hibernate earlier in the season than the young as it takes the latter a little longer to get the necessary accumulation of fat to sustain them over the winter.
General description: A large rodent with a heavy-set body and short tail. Head broad and short, ears low and rounded, fur long and coarse. The color is ochraceous above and reddish below with golden-buff mantle on the anterior back. The males are about 24 inches in length, maximum weight about 10 pounds. Females a little smaller.
Where found: Throughout the park at all elevations except in heavy-timbered areas. They are out at any time during daylight hours.
MONTANA MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL
Citellus lateralis cinerascens
This Ground Squirrel is frequently mistaken for a chipmunk although quite a bit larger in size. This mistaken identity is chiefly due to the stripes on the side of the back. It must be remembered, however, that the real chipmunk has stripes on the face also which this ground squirrel does not have. They do look and behave much like big chipmunks, especially resembling the chipmunk of the eastern states.
The Mantled Ground Squirrel seldom climbs much above the ground and lives in burrows or crevices in the rocks or under logs. They prefer grassy, open, forested areas rather than open meadows.
Mantled Ground Squirrel
These little animals are quite easily tamed and soon learn to hang around camps and parking areas where they wait to be fed. They are equipped with cheek pouches which they fill until they appear to have an extra bad case of the mumps.
They hibernate in the late summer or early autumn and emerge again the following April. A supply of food is stored during the summer season; however, the heavy layer of fat acquired is the nourishment for the winter sleep.