Head to head
Yellow-bellied Marmot vs Alpine Marmot
Yellow-bellied Marmot
VS Alpine Marmot
The yellow-bellied marmot and alpine marmot are both large mountain ground squirrels that whistle at danger and hibernate through winter, but they live on different continents and differ in how they organise their families.
| Yellow-bellied Marmot | Alpine Marmot | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Marmota flaviventris | Marmota marmota |
| Native range | Mountains of western North America | The Alps, Carpathians, and Pyrenees |
| Habitat | Rocky mountain slopes and meadows | Alpine meadows and rocky slopes above the treeline |
| Social structure | Colonies, often one male with several females and their young | Family groups of a dominant pair, their young, and older offspring |
| Hibernation | Spends much of the year, often most of it, hibernating | Hibernates huddled together in a family burrow |
| Alarm call | Sharp whistles at predators such as eagles and coyotes | A sentinel gives a piercing whistle |
| Notable habit | Sunbathes on boulders and rock outcrops | Reintroduced to other European mountain ranges |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Yellow-bellied Marmot vs Alpine Marmot: common questions
Where do the yellow-bellied marmot and alpine marmot live?
The yellow-bellied marmot lives in the mountains of western North America, while the alpine marmot lives in the Alps and other European ranges.
Do both marmots whistle?
Yes, the yellow-bellied marmot whistles to warn of predators like eagles and coyotes, and the alpine marmot posts a sentinel that gives a piercing whistle.
How do their winters differ?
The alpine marmot hibernates huddled together with its family, while the yellow-bellied marmot spends much of the year, often most of it, hibernating in a burrow.