274 Marmota broweriMarmota broweri (Hall and
Gilmore, 1934)
Alaska Marmot
description: The Alaska marmot is dark colored, with a
gray to charcoal dorsum suff used with cinnamon, espe-
cially near the haunches. The venter is gray to charcoal. The
tail is a uniform gray to brown. The head is dark brown to
charcoal and relatively uniform in color.
size: Female—HB 540–600 mm; T 130–160 mm; Mass 2500–
3500 g.
Male—HB 580–650 mm; T 150–180 mm; Mass 3000–
4000 g.
distribution: This marmot is found in the Brooks Range
of northern Alaska (USA), from near the coast of the Chuk-
chi Sea to the Alaska–Yukon border and south through the
Ray Mountains to the Yukon River. Its extension into the
Yukon or the Northwest Territories (Canada) is not yet
confi rmed.
geographic variation: None. M. broweri was once con-
sidered a subspecies of M. caligata. However, chromosomal
number and molecular analyses confi rm its status as a sepa-
rate species.
conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population
trend—stable.habitat: M. broweri inhabits open alpine tundra habitats—
such as boulder fi elds, talus slopes, and rock outcrops—in
the alpine tundra of northern Alaska.natural history: Alaska marmots hibernate for six to
eight months in winter in burrows that also provide pro-
tection throughout the year. Litters of four to fi ve are born in
late spring or early summer, when this species’ major foods—
such as grasses, sedges, and herbaceous plants—become
readily available. Their main predators appear to be grizzly
bears (Ursus arctos horribilis), which dig the animals from
their burrows. M. broweri is rarely hunted or trapped for food
or pelts.general references: Bee and Hall 1956; Gunderson et al.
2009.Marmota caligata (Eschscholtz, 1829)
Hoary Marmotdescription: Hoary marmots have a pale cream to white
anterior dorsum and venter; and a yellow to tan posterior
dorsum, rump, and tail. The feet are often black. The head
is also cream to white, but with dark brown to black patches
around the snout, crown, and chin.Marmota broweri. Photo courtesy Dave Robichaud.