"hunt and ""Groundhog Feast"", which took place annually in September. The ""hunt"" portion of it became increasingly a ritualized formality, because the practical procurement of meat had to occur well ahead of time for marinating. A drink called the ""groundhog punch"" was also served. The flavor has been described as a ""cross between pork and chicken"". The hunt and feast did not attract enough outside interest, and the practice discontinued. The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as large as 40,000 gather each year (nearly eight times the year-round population of the town). The average"
"Hoary marmot The hoary marmot (""Marmota caligata"") is a species of marmot that inhabits the mountains of northwest North America. Hoary marmots live near the tree line on slopes with grasses and forbs to eat and rocky areas for cover. It is the largest North American ground squirrel and is often nicknamed ""the whistler"" for its high-pitched warning issued to alert other members of the colony to possible danger. The animals are sometimes called ""whistle pigs"". Whistler, British Columbia, originally ""London Mountain"" because of its heavy fogs and rain, was renamed after these animals to help make it more marketable"
"Yellow-bellied marmot The yellow-bellied marmot (""Marmota flaviventris""), also known as the rock chuck, is a large, stout-bodied ground squirrel in the marmot genus. It is one of fourteen species of marmots, and is native to mountainous regions of southwestern Canada and western United States, including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Mount Rainier in the state of Washington, typically living above . The fur is mainly brown, with a dark bushy tail, yellow chest and white patch between the eyes, and they weigh up to approximately . They live in burrows in colonies of up to twenty individuals with a"
"protected in several areas throughout its range, there is not much concern for serious conservation efforts to be put in place. Yellow-bellied marmot The yellow-bellied marmot (""Marmota flaviventris""), also known as the rock chuck, is a large, stout-bodied ground squirrel in the marmot genus. It is one of fourteen species of marmots, and is native to mountainous regions of southwestern Canada and western United States, including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Mount Rainier in the state of Washington, typically living above . The fur is mainly brown, with a dark bushy tail, yellow chest and white patch between the"
"exhibit the full range of nonreproductive adult behavior within about four weeks of emerging from the burrow. Subadults initially remain with their birth colony, but typically leave at two years of age, becoming fully sexually mature the following year. Hoary marmot The hoary marmot (""Marmota caligata"") is a species of marmot that inhabits the mountains of northwest North America. Hoary marmots live near the tree line on slopes with grasses and forbs to eat and rocky areas for cover. It is the largest North American ground squirrel and is often nicknamed ""the whistler"" for its high-pitched warning issued to alert"
"by grasses, sedges, herbs, and Krummholz forest patches. Range maps often erroneously depict hoary marmots occurring north of the Yukon River in Alaska, this region is occupied by the Alaska marmot (""M. broweri"") and not the hoary marmot. Hoary marmots also occur on several islands in Alaska and fossils dating back to the Pleistocene, including some from islands no longer inhabited by the species. The three currently recognized subspecies are: Hoary marmots are diurnal and herbivorous, subsisting on leaves, flowers, grasses, and sedges. Predators include golden eagles, grizzly and black bears, wolverines, coyotes, red foxes, lynxes, wolves, and cougars. They"
"America are known to have winter-predicting groundhogs. The most famous is Punxsutawney Phil of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania (which appeared in the movie ""Groundhog Day""). There is also ""Staten Island Chuck"" in New York, ""Balzac Billy"" in Alberta, ""General Beauregard Lee"" in Jackson, Georgia, ""Shubenacadie Sam"" in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia, Two Rivers Tunnel in Cape Breton and ""Gary the Groundhog"" in Kleinburg, Ontario, among many others. In 2014, a new prognosticator entered the mix: Toronto's ""Dundas Donna."" There is also la marmotte de Québec, Fred. He is celebrated in Québec, and is more recent than others. Wiarton Willie Wiarton Willie is the"
"b results, experimentation involving mitochondrial DNA has suggested that ""M. broweri"" is most likely related to ""M. caudata"" and ""M. menzbieri"". However, morphological data have linked ""M. broweri"" to ""M. camtschatica"". In addition, somatic chromosome analysis of marmots, ecological data and behavioral data have shown that there is a link between ""M. broweri"" and ""M. caligata"". The conflicting data pertaining to phylogeny creates inconsistent marmot lineage relationship hypotheses. Alaska marmot The Alaska marmot (""Marmota broweri""), also known as the Brooks Range marmot or the Brower's marmot, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in the"
"including the American groundhog, the chipmunks, the susliks (""Spermophilus""), and the prairie dogs (""Cynomys""). They are highly variable in size and habitus, but most are remarkably able to rise up on their hind legs and stand fully erect comfortably for prolonged periods. They also tend to be far more gregarious than other squirrels, and many live in colonies with complex social structures. Most Marmotini are rather short-tailed and large squirrels, and the alpine marmot (""Marmota marmota"") is the largest living member of the Sciuridae, at 53–73 cm in length and weighing 5–8 kg. The chipmunks of the genus ""Tamias"" frequently"
"""Obama marmorata"" based on the morphological redescription of this species by Froehlich. However, a year later, a new study using morphological and molecular analyses including material of ""Obama marmorata"" from the type-locality of the species concluded that the invasive species found in Europe, which is also common in southern Brazil and northern Argentina, is a new species, and it was named ""Obama nungara"". ""Obama nungara"" has been reported to feed on earthworms and land snails. As a result, it may pose a threat to native populations of these invertebrate groups in Europe. In southern Brazil, ""O. nungara"" (identified as ""O."
"Marmot Marmots are large squirrels in the genus Marmota, with 15 species. Some species live in mountainous areas, such as the Alps, northern Apennines, Carpathians, Tatras, and Pyrenees in Europe; northwestern Asia; the Rocky Mountains, Black Hills, the Cascade and Pacific Ranges, and the Sierra Nevada in North America; and the Deosai Plateau in Pakistan and Ladakh in India. Other species prefer rough grassland and can be found widely across North America and the Eurasian Steppe. The similarly sized but more social prairie dog is not classified in the genus ""Marmota"", but in the related genus ""Cynomys"". Marmots typically live"
"dominated the food spectrum, comprising up to 74.3% of the prey by number and 84.2% by biomass. Even much bigger ground squirrels such as prairie dogs and marmots are attacked on occasion. Several hoary marmots (""Marmota caligala"") were brought to nests in southeast Alaska but averaged only , so were young animals about half of the average adult (spring) weight (albeit still considerably heavier than the goshawks who took them). In some cases, adult marmots such as alpine marmots (""Marmota marmota""), yellow-bellied marmots (""Marmota flaviventris"") and woodchucks (""Marmota monax"") have been preyed upon when lighter and weaker in spring, collectively"
"its coat of arms and on the coats of arms of some of its ""raions"" or districts. Bobak marmot The bobak marmot (""Marmota bobak""), also known as the steppe marmot, is a species of marmot that inhabits the steppes of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is a social animal and inhabits steppe grassland, including cultivated field borders. It hibernates for more than half the year. Litter sizes average about five offspring and it takes three years for the young marmots to reach sexual maturity. Male offspring leave the home colony after their second winter, and about 60% of mature"
"Bobak marmot The bobak marmot (""Marmota bobak""), also known as the steppe marmot, is a species of marmot that inhabits the steppes of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is a social animal and inhabits steppe grassland, including cultivated field borders. It hibernates for more than half the year. Litter sizes average about five offspring and it takes three years for the young marmots to reach sexual maturity. Male offspring leave the home colony after their second winter, and about 60% of mature females give birth in any one year. The fur is used to make hats and coats and"
"Ground squirrel The ground squirrels are members of the squirrel family of rodents (Sciuridae) which generally live on or in the ground, rather than trees. The term is most often used for the medium-sized ground squirrels, as the larger ones are more commonly known as marmots (genus ""Marmota"") or prairie dogs, while the smaller and less bushy-tailed ground squirrels tend to be known as chipmunks. Together, they make up the ""marmot tribe"" of squirrels, Marmotini, and the large and mainly ground squirrel subfamily Xerinae, and containing six living genera. Well-known members of this largely Holarctic group are the marmots (""Marmota""),"
"Gray marmot The gray marmot, grey marmot, or Altai marmot (""Marmota baibacina)"" is a species of rodent in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is one of the larger marmots in the genus Marmota. It occurs in mountainous grasslands and shrub lands of central Asia, and is one of the 9 Palearctic (Eurasia) species. It is found in Xinjiang Province in China, southeastern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and in the Altai and Tien Shan Mountains in southeastern Siberia in Russia. In the Mongolian Altai, its range overlaps with that of the Tarbagan marmot. Gray marmots form social groups, live in burrows, and"
"food source for predators. Meadow vole The meadow vole (""Microtus pennsylvanicus""), sometimes called the field mouse or meadow mouse, is a North American vole found across Canada, Alaska and the northern United States. Its range extends farther south along the Atlantic coast. One subspecies, the Florida salt marsh vole (""M. p. dukecampbelli""), is found in Florida, and is classified as endangered. Previously it was also found in Chihuahua, Mexico, but has not been recorded since 1998. The meadow vole is active year-round, usually at night. It also digs underground burrows, where it stores food for the winter and females give"
"American wigeon The American wigeon (""Mareca americana""), also called a baldpate, is a species of dabbling duck found in North America. Formerly assigned to ""Anas"", this species is classified with the other wigeons in the dabbling duck genus ""Mareca"". It is the New World counterpart of the Eurasian wigeon. ""Mareca"" is from the Brazilian-Portuguese word ""Marréco"" for a small duck and ""americana"" refers to America. The American wigeon is a medium-sized bird; it is larger than a teal, but smaller than a pintail. In silhouette, the wigeon can be distinguished from other dabblers by its round head, short neck, and"
"head, small eyes and ears, stubby legs, and a long, bushy tail. Its sharp, rounded claws aid in digging burrows. The coat color changes with the season and with age, but an adult marmot's coat is brown all over with small whiter areas for most of the year. The species has a diet consisting mainly of a variety of meadow flora, including dry grasses, which it also uses as bedding in burrows. It is preyed on by various terrestrial mammals and avian raptors, but its main predator today is the coyote. The Olympic marmot is rated a species of the"
"Parmarion martensi Parmarion martensi is a species of air-breathing land semislug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Ariophantidae. The probable native distribution of ""Parmarion martensi"" includes Southeast Asia. This species is already established in the USA, and is considered to represent a potentially serious threat as a pest, an invasive species which could negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health or commerce. Therefore it has been suggested that this species be given top national quarantine significance in the USA. ""Parmarion martensi"" is considered to be a pest species in Hawaii. ""Parmarion martensi"" is a host for the nematode"
"muzzle. Their back is reddish-brown in color with grizzled black and light-grey tan. Their feet are yellowish to dark brown to in color. They gain additional fat reserves in the autumn, in preparation for hibernation. The yellow-bellied marmot lives in southwestern Canada and western United States, including the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. Northwards, its range extends into the southern British Columbia and goes eastwards up to the montane and basin regions of Wyoming, eastern Montana, Colorado, and southern Alberta. Southwards, its range extends into northern New Mexico. It inhabits steppes, meadows, talus fields, and other open habitats, sometimes"
"Meadow vole The meadow vole (""Microtus pennsylvanicus""), sometimes called the field mouse or meadow mouse, is a North American vole found across Canada, Alaska and the northern United States. Its range extends farther south along the Atlantic coast. One subspecies, the Florida salt marsh vole (""M. p. dukecampbelli""), is found in Florida, and is classified as endangered. Previously it was also found in Chihuahua, Mexico, but has not been recorded since 1998. The meadow vole is active year-round, usually at night. It also digs underground burrows, where it stores food for the winter and females give birth to their young."
"Leptodactylus marmoratus Leptodactylus marmoratus, commonly known as the marbled tropical bullfrog, is a common species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is commonly found under and on the surface of dead leaf litter and dead branches. This bullfrog has a distinctive call that they sound from dusk to dawn as they're nocturnal. They feed on isopods, ants, and insect larvae that are found in abundance in their habitats. It is endemic to southern Brazil in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Paraná. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or"
"baibacina centralis"" . Gray marmot The gray marmot, grey marmot, or Altai marmot (""Marmota baibacina)"" is a species of rodent in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is one of the larger marmots in the genus Marmota. It occurs in mountainous grasslands and shrub lands of central Asia, and is one of the 9 Palearctic (Eurasia) species. It is found in Xinjiang Province in China, southeastern Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and in the Altai and Tien Shan Mountains in southeastern Siberia in Russia. In the Mongolian Altai, its range overlaps with that of the Tarbagan marmot. Gray marmots form social groups, live"
"The etymology of the name ""woodchuck"" is unrelated to wood or chucking. It stems from an Algonquian (possibly Narragansett) name for the animal, ""wuchak"". The similarity between the words has led to the popular tongue-twister: The groundhog prefers open country and the edges of woodland, and is rarely far from a burrow entrance. Marmota monax has a wide geographic range. It is typically found in low elevation forests, small woodlots, fields, pastures and hedgerows. It constructs dens in well drained soil, and most have summer and winter dens. Human activity has increased food access and abundance allowing ""M. monax"" to"
"must eat large amounts of the arctic plants because they are low in nutritional value and for preparation of hibernation. Alaska marmots are typically known as omnivores but they have also been described as insectivorous, folivorous, frugivorous, and granivorous. Common Alaska marmot predators include; wolverines, gray wolves, grizzly bears, coyotes, foxes and eagles (the main predator for young marmots). Although dangers of direct human disturbance are minimal, climate dangers pose a real problem. The Alaska marmot is arguably the most sensitive of the 14 marmot species to anthropogenic disturbances, including climate change. Marmots enrich soil with uneaten food, nesting material,"
"Olympic marmot The Olympic marmot (""Marmota olympus"") is a rodent in the squirrel family, Sciuridae; it occurs only in the U.S. state of Washington, on the middle elevations of the Olympic Peninsula. The closest relatives of this species are the hoary marmot and the Vancouver Island marmot. In 2009, it was declared the official endemic mammal of Washington. This marmot is about the size of a domestic cat, typically weighing about in summer. The species shows the greatest sexual dimorphism found in marmots, with adult males weighing on average 23% more than females. It can be identified by a wide"
"tropical moist montane forests, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss caused by agriculture and human intrusion but is considered to be a least concern. Leptodactylus marmoratus Leptodactylus marmoratus, commonly known as the marbled tropical bullfrog, is a common species of frog in the family Leptodactylidae. It is commonly found under and on the surface of dead leaf litter and dead branches. This bullfrog has a distinctive call that they sound from dusk to dawn as they're nocturnal. They feed on isopods, ants, and insect larvae that are found in abundance in their habitats. It is endemic to"
"dense fur. Apart from the larger size of the males, both sexes have a similar appearance. Females have five pairs of teats, running from the pectoral to the inguinal regions. The hoary marmot predominantly inhabits mountainous alpine environments to elevation, although coastal population also occur at or near sea level in British Columbia and Alaska. Hoary marmots occur from southern Washington and central Idaho north, and are found through much of Alaska south of the Yukon River. They live above the tree line, at elevations from sea level to , depending on latitude, in rocky terrain or alpine meadows dominated"
"""Angiostrongylus cantonensis"", which causes rat lungworm disease. ""Parmarion martensi"" feeds on lettuce and on papaya in gardens in Hawaii, and is considered to be a pest. Parmarion martensi Parmarion martensi is a species of air-breathing land semislug, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusk in the family Ariophantidae. The probable native distribution of ""Parmarion martensi"" includes Southeast Asia. This species is already established in the USA, and is considered to represent a potentially serious threat as a pest, an invasive species which could negatively affect agriculture, natural ecosystems, human health or commerce. Therefore it has been suggested that this species be given"
"liquids from the juices of food-plants, aided by their sprinkling with rain or dew. Groundhogs are excellent burrowers, using burrows for sleeping, rearing young, and hibernating. W. J. Schoonmaker excavated 11 dens finding the earth removed from these averaged six cubic feet or four and eight-tenths bushels per den. The longest burrow was 24 feet plus 2 short side galleries. The amount of soil taken from this den was eight bushels and it weighed 640 pounds. The average weight of the earth taken from all eleven dens was 384 pounds. Though groundhogs are the most solitary of the marmots, several"
"harvested fields and grazing on pasture grasses, winter wheat, clover, and lettuce. Having a largely vegetarian diet, most wigeon migrate in the fall well before northern marshes begin to freeze. The American wigeon is highly gregarious outside of the breeding season and will form large flocks. American wigeon The American wigeon (""Mareca americana""), also called a baldpate, is a species of dabbling duck found in North America. Formerly assigned to ""Anas"", this species is classified with the other wigeons in the dabbling duck genus ""Mareca"". It is the New World counterpart of the Eurasian wigeon. ""Mareca"" is from the Brazilian-Portuguese"
"Marbled whiptail The marbled whiptail (""Aspidoscelis marmoratus"") is a species of lizard found in the United States, in southern New Mexico and Texas, and in northern Mexico, in Coahuila, Chihuahua and Durango. The marbled whiptail grows from 8 to 12 inches in length. It is grey or black overall in color with 4 to 8 yellow or white stripes, often with dark mottling, giving it a marbled appearance. Their underside is white or pale yellow, with a peach coloration on the throat. They are slender bodied, with long tails. Like most other species of whiptail lizards, the marbled whiptail is"