Marmot peeking out of its burrow

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Alpine marmot

Curious to know more about this cute creature? The Alpine marmot seen here today is a close relative of ground squirrels and prairie dogs and belongs to the squirrel family. They store plant stems in their burrows as cosy bedding to prepare for their hibernation. This helps them endure the weather conditions and scarcity of food that often occur during winter. They engage in communication with one another through a range of auditory signals, including whistles, screams and teeth chattering. Did you know - Groundhog burrows have latrine chambers, located far away from the sleeping and eating areas of the burrow to keep them clean and hygienic? Fascinating, isn't it?