Hoary Marmot, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington
The Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata), a relative of the squirrel family, lives in high subalpine meadows and hibernates throughout the winter. The "hoary" part of their name refers to the silver-grey fur on their upper back. Marmots live near tree line and eat greens, such as grass, moss, flowers, and berries. They are social creatures, as each morning they will often visit the burrows of other marmots, and they use loud whistles to communicate danger to other marmots.