Marmota vancouverensis
Vancouver marmot

Vancouver Island marmots, Marmotta vancouverensis, are found only on Vancouver Island, which is off of the southwestern coast of Canada.

(Woods, 1980)

Vancouver Island marmots live in mountainous areas above 1,000 meters in elevation. They make burrows in open, steep meadows that face south-southwest. Steep land, along with frequent avalanches, clear snow and trees. The advantage of south-southwest facing slopes is that the sun melts more snow and helps vegetation grow, ensuring a good food supply for the marmots.

Marmota vancouverensis burrows can be large and intricate. They serve as a place to sleep and to take refuge from the cold and predators.

(Woods 1980, http://www-nais.ccm.emr.ca/schoolnet/issues/risk/mammals/emammal/vanimrmt.html, Vancouver Island Marmot Rescue Team: http://cons-dev.univ-lyon1.fr/MARMOTTE/MARMOT.EN/SAGA.EN/WORLD.MARMOT/Species/pframvanc.html)

Vancouver Island marmots have a variable appearance, depending upon season. At the beginning of summer, the fur on the body is black, the snout is white, and white streaks are present on top of the head and on the chest. As the summer progresses, the fur turns to dark brown, and by the next spring the fur is a cinnamon color. After molting in July, the fur of M. vancouverensis is again black. Not only does the color change with the seasons, so does the weight of these animals. Weight can double between the months of May and September, from a spring weight of 3 to 3.5 kg to 5 to 6 kg in August. Total length ranges from 68 to 70 cm.

(Woods 1980, http://www-nais.ccm.emr.ca/schoolnet/issues/risk/mammals/emammal/vanimrmt.html)

Vancouver Island marmots reach sexual maturity at about 3 years of age, although most females do not reproduce until 4 or 5. They are believed to be monogamous and births usually occur every other year. Gestation is approximately 1 month and litters of 3 are typically born. However, litters of 4 to 5 are also common. Mating is believed to occur underground and infants emerge from their burrows in late June to early July.

( http://www-nais.ccm.emr.ca/schoolnet/issues/risk/mammals/emammal/vanimrmt.html; Vancouver Island Marmot Rescue Team: http://cons-dev.univ-lyon1.fr/MARMOTTE/MARMOT.EN/SAGA.EN/WORLD.MARMOT/Species/pframvanc.html)

Vancouver Island marmots hibernate from the months of September to April, a length of 210 days on average. The total numberof marmots sharing a burrow averages about 8, which represents a family group. A family consists of a male, one or more females and, depending upon when mating has occurred, one or two age-groups of siblings.

Dispersal does not occur until around 2 years of age, probably due to the difficulty in finding new, suitable territory.

Although these marmots are territorial and display a dominance hierarchy, fighting is uncommon. Their relatively non-aggressive nature allows families to share a burrow. In fact, marmots are relatively social animals that even playfight.

Both females and males guard the burrow from enemies. When predators such as wolves, eagles, and cougars are spotted, these marmots give off a high pitched alarm call which is similar to that of other marmot species. Upon hearing this, all members of the marmot family run for their burrows. The use of a high frequency call makes it more difficult for predators to locate the exact source of the call.

Vancouver Island marmots also have a unique call that has been described as a "kee-aw," which also indicates alarm. This call is given around 100 times with about 4 seconds in between each call.

(Woods 1980, Vancouver Island Marmot Rescue Team: http://cons-dev.univ-lyon1.fr/MARMOTTE/MARMOT.EN/SAGA.EN/WORLD.MARMOT/Species/pframvanc.html,

http://www.wcmc.org.uk/species/data/species_sheets/vanismar.htm, Vancouver Island Marmot Rescue Team: http://cons-dev.univ-lyon1.fr/MARMOTTE/MARMOT.EN/SAGA.EN/WORLD.MARMOT/Species/pframvanc.html)

The food supply of this herbivorous marmot varies seasonally. The diet consists mostly of grasses and foliage at all times of the year. In the spring, food is scarce and the diet is supplemented with berries preserved through the winter, roots, and bark. By late summer, foods such as flowers and berries are abundant. During this time, Vancouver Island marmots prepare for winter hibernation by increasing fat stores.

(Woods 1980)

Marmota vancouverensis is an extremely endangered species that has been protected under the British Columbia Wildlife Act since 1980. Today its population is 50 to 60% lower than it was a decade ago. Currently, estimates put the population at around 150 marmots. There are multiple factors that may be responsible for this decline in population. Included are deforestation, geographic isolation, a high infant mortality rate, and the scarceness of natural habitat.

Interestingly, even though Vancouver island marmots live in treeless meadows, logging and the destruction of forests for things such as ski slopes still present a probable cause for the shrinking population. Cleared lands have been found to attract marmots. However, these areas provide poor habitat. Infant mortality, which normally claims 45% of infants during their first winter, has been found to reach 61% in marmots living in areas cleared by logging. It is also believed that logging increases threats of predation by allowing predators easier movement. Thus, artificially cleared areas draw in marmots to what may be unsuitable land.

Living in mountains may also cause the problem of geographic isolation. Marmots living on different mountains are not able to interbreed, which causes reduced genetic variability and increases the chance of inbreeding.

Currently there are intense efforts to save this species. The WWF is promoting research and the preservation of this marmot's habitat. A Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Team has also been formed. This organization's plans to save the Vancouver island marmot include continued research, captive breeding, and increasing the public's awareness of the situation. One of their goals is to increase the Vancouver island marmot population to 400 to 600 marmots.

( http://www-nais.ccm.emr.ca/schoolnet/issues/risk/mammals/emammal/vanimrmt.html

http://www.wcmc.org.uk/species/data/species_sheets/vanismar.htm

http://www.wwfcanada.org/facts/vimarm.html, Vancouver Island Marmot Rescue Team:

http://cons-dev.univ-lyon1.fr/MARMOTTE/MARMOT.EN/SAGA.EN/WORLD.MARMOT/Species/pframvanc.html)

Marmota vancouverensis the only endangered mammal species that is endemic to Canada. If you are interested in learning more about this species, there are many web sites created about it. You can even adopt a marmot through the Vancouver Island Marmot Rescue Team. Additional information about this program can be found on their web site.

( http://www.wcmc.org.uk/species/data/species_sheets/vanismar.htm

Vancouver Island Marmot Rescue Team: http://cons-dev.univ-lyon1.fr/MARMOTTE/MARMOT.EN/SAGA.EN/WORLD.MARMOT/Species/pframvanc.html)