There are lots of fun facts about the yellow-bellied marmot. Did you know that:

• The yellow-bellied marmot, also called the woodchuck and nick-named the whistling pig, is a ground squirrel and member of the marmot family.
• Yellow-bellied marmots are found in southwestern Canada and western United States. They live in rocky, green habitats such as alpine meadows, steppes and pastures. The yellow-bellied marmot digs its burrow beneath rocks and boulders.
• The yellow-bellied marmot has a yellow belly and yellow speckles on both sides of its neck. Its white-tipped fur is tan or brown and it has a patch of white between its eyes.
• Yellow-bellied marmots are herbivores - they eat seeds, flowers, leaves, and stems - but they will also eat insects when plant-life is scarce.
• The yellow-bellied marmot is diurnal meaning it is active during the day and rests at night.
• Yellow-bellied marmots are gregarious animals that live in colonies.
• The yellow-bellied marmot is prey for a variety of birds and animals including wolves, foxes, coyotes, weasels, martins, eagles, badgers and grizzly bears.
• Like all other marmots, yellow-bellied marmots make a whistling sound when a predator is sighted.
• The yellow-bellied marmot hibernates from September to May and spends about 80% of its life underground.