The Vancouver Island Marmot is a small, burrow-dwelling mammal. It is herbivorous and hibernates during the winter. The fur is chocolate brown with a white patch on the muzzle, a black patch on the rump, and white spots on the abdomen. They weigh 6.6-14.3 pounds. The highest count in 1998 was 71 individuals, compared to 102 in 1997 and 235 in 1984.
At least five of the larger colonies have suffered extinction in the last few years, and the number of individuals has declined at several other colonies. In 1999, crews counted 57 animals in the wild. The year 2000 population estimated 36 marmots in the wild and 40 in captivity. They only occur on Vancouver Island and they are one of the worlds most endangered mammal.
Life Cycle
The Vancouver Island Marmot is a small, burrow-dwelling mammal. It is herbivorous and hibernates during the winter. The fur is chocolate brown with a white patch on the muzzle, a black patch on the rump, and white spots on the abdomen. They weigh 6.6-14.3 pounds. The highest count in 1998 was 71 individuals, compared to 102 in 1997 and 235 in 1984. At least five of the larger colonies have suffered extinction in the last few years, and the number of
individuals has declined at several other colonies. In 1999, crews counted 57 animals in the wild. The year 2000 population estimated 36 marmots in the wild and 40 in captivity. They only occur on Vancouver Island and they are one of the worlds most endangered mammal.
The Vancouver Island Marmot is a small, burrow-dwelling mammal. It is herbivorous and hibernates during the winter. The fur is chocolate brown with a white patch on the muzzle, a black patch on the rump, and white spots on the abdomen. They weigh 6.6-14.3 pounds. The highest count in 1998 was 71 individuals, compared to 102 in 1997 and 235 in 1984. At least five of the larger colonies have suffered extinction in the last few years, and the number of
individuals has declined at several other colonies. In 1999, crews counted 57 animals in the wild. The year 2000 population estimated 36 marmots in the wild and 40 in captivity. They only occur on Vancouver Island and they are one of the worlds most endangered mammal.
Habitat
The marmots inhabit alpine and sub-alpine areas characterized by steep slopes,
meadows, and rocky debris at bases of cliffs. The natural habitat provides grasses and forbs to eat, colluvial soil for constructing burrows, and microclimatic conditions suitable for foraging, and successful hibernation. Steep slopes are preferred because avalanches clear them of snow in spring, thereby permitting early foraging. Avalanches also inhibit tree growth, allowing food plants favored by marmots to flourish. Juvenile survival in clear cuts is evidently lower than at natural sites. Lifetime reproductive rates are lower in logged areas.
The marmots inhabit alpine and sub-alpine areas characterized by steep slopes,
meadows, and rocky debris at bases of cliffs. The natural habitat provides grasses and forbs to eat, colluvial soil for constructing burrows, and microclimatic conditions suitable for foraging, and successful hibernation. Steep slopes are preferred because avalanches clear them of snow in spring, thereby permitting early foraging. Avalanches also inhibit tree growth, allowing food plants favored by marmots to flourish. Juvenile survival in clear cuts is evidently lower than at natural sites. Lifetime reproductive rates are lower in logged areas.
Diet
The marmots inhabit alpine and sub-alpine areas characterized by steep slopes,
meadows, and rocky debris at bases of cliffs. The natural habitat provides grasses and forbs to eat, colluvial soil for constructing burrows, and microclimatic conditions suitable for foraging, and successful hibernation. Steep slopes are preferred because avalanches clear them of snow in spring, thereby permitting early foraging. Avalanches also inhibit tree growth, allowing food plants favored by marmots to flourish. Juvenile survival in clear cuts is evidently lower than at natural sites. Lifetime reproductive rates are lower in logged areas.
The marmots inhabit alpine and sub-alpine areas characterized by steep slopes,
meadows, and rocky debris at bases of cliffs. The natural habitat provides grasses and forbs to eat, colluvial soil for constructing burrows, and microclimatic conditions suitable for foraging, and successful hibernation. Steep slopes are preferred because avalanches clear them of snow in spring, thereby permitting early foraging. Avalanches also inhibit tree growth, allowing food plants favored by marmots to flourish. Juvenile survival in clear cuts is evidently lower than at natural sites. Lifetime reproductive rates are lower in logged areas.
Threats
The overall effect of forestry has been to concentrate the marmot population in a small geographic area. This makes them more vulnerable to predators (golden eagles, cougars, wolves), disease, and changes in vegetation and climate (i.e., snowfall, snow pack, temperature, and rainfall). Reintroduction of captive-bred marmots to former sites could enable the species'
recovery.
The overall effect of forestry has been to concentrate the marmot population in a small geographic area. This makes them more vulnerable to predators (golden eagles, cougars, wolves), disease, and changes in vegetation and climate (i.e., snowfall, snow pack, temperature, and rainfall). Reintroduction of captive-bred marmots to former sites could enable the species'
recovery.
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