Weekly View
Yellow-Bellied Marmot, June 2001 - One of the larger rodents that inhabit the alpine tundra in the
park is the yellow-bellied marmot. They are also sometimes called whistle-pigs, because of the sounds
of their call. They are certainly not scared of hikers, and have learned that hikers = food (nuts, M&M's
etc.) but please don't feed them as it may alter their feeding habits and that may reduce their chances
of surviving the winter. Some wild animals also carry deceases like the plague, so don't let them get to
close! This little guy stopped by when we had lunch on a leisurely hike to Emerald Lake just 2 miles
from the Bear Lake Trailhead.
Submitted by Ian Kiming and Camilla Bacher.
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