Day 258: Even seasoned photographers can't resist taking pictures of the Park's most commonly observed mammal. Hoary Marmots are natural "models," ready to strike a pose or hold perfectly still. Marmota caligata is a member of the family Sciuridae, i.e., a squirrel on steroids. A full-grown marmot may weight up to 30 pounds! They live in dens dug as deeply as six feet into the ground and subsist on a variety of herbaceous plants. Hikers in the high country often see them with mouthsful of wildflowers, or sitting up on their haunches surveying their surroundings, but marmots are not exclusive to the subalpine areas. Although generally seen near tree-line, they have been reported at elevations near sea level. Their call is distinctive: a high-pitched whistle which gives rise to their nickname of "whistle pig."
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