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Alpine marmot (continued)
Marmota marmota
46.378, 7.1806
Field Notes
Description:
What could they possibly be telling each other? Most likely nothing. But that smell! Social contact plays a central role in the life of marmots. Marmots possess scent glands in their cheeks which they use to recognize one another. The individual in pics 3 and 4 may look like it's marveling at the surrounding landscape... it's just warming up and keeping a eye on predators.
Habitat:
Alpine meadow in a rocky area, 1800m ASL
Notes:
Most individuals in this family group are a brood from the previous year. Local predators include eagles, foxes, and humans. Some farming practices are a threat as well.
Alpine marmots are also threatened by climate change. Find out more here: https://thealpinemarmotproject.org/climate-change/
The last shot shows the very top of the marmot's habitat, later in the year. Further up where no grass or flowers are left, enter the kingdom of rock, snow and ice and a feeling of total freedom. Even up there though, there's life. You just need to look.
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