I Wonder…

I Wonder is a nature-learning series for children ages 5–8 and their parents, caregivers, and families, designed to spark curiosity and inspire kids to wonder, explore, and discover the natural world outdoors.

Why Do Marmots Whistle?

Imagine you’re hiking through the mountains when suddenly—

WHEEEEEP!

You stop.

You look around.

Was that a bird?

Was it a squeaky toy?

Was someone hiding behind a rock?

Nope.

It might have been a marmot.

But why would a furry mountain animal make a sound like a whistle?

The marmot alarm

Marmots are big, furry relatives of squirrels. They live high in the mountains, often near rocky slopes where they can find plenty of places to hide.

And marmots have a very important job:

Watching out for danger.

A marmot might be sitting on a rock, munching on grass, when it spots something it doesn’t like.

Maybe it’s a fox.

Maybe it’s a coyote.

Maybe it’s a person or a dog getting too close.

The marmot has to warn the other marmots—and fast!

So it lets out a loud:

WHEEEEEEP!

That whistle is an alarm for the other marmots.

It’s like the marmot is shouting:

“WATCH OUT! SOMETHING IS COMING!”

Why make such a loud noise?

You might think a quiet little squeak would be safer.

But marmots live in places where sound can travel a long way.

A loud whistle can warn marmots that are farther away, even if they can’t see the danger.

When they hear the alarm, marmots may race for the safety of their rocky burrows.

Whoosh!

One marmot disappears.

Then another.

And another.

Suddenly, the hillside that seemed full of marmots is completely quiet.

Where did they all go?

Into hiding!

Marmots are mountain experts

Marmots are built for mountain life.

Their strong claws help them dig burrows and scramble around rocky places. Their thick fur keeps them warm when mountain temperatures get cold.

And they are excellent at keeping watch.

You might even see a marmot sitting very still on a rock, looking around while the others eat.

That marmot could be the group’s lookout.

It’s almost like having a marmot security guard!

Can you hear a marmot?

Marmots don’t whistle only because they’re scared.

They have different sounds they use to communicate with one another.

And here’s something fun:

Not every marmot whistle sounds exactly the same.

So if you’re lucky enough to hear one, stop and listen.

Where did the sound come from?

Can you spot the marmot?

Is it sitting on a rock?

Is it near a burrow?

Is it watching something?

You might have just heard a mountain animal having a very important conversation.

Try being a marmot detective

The next time you’re hiking in marmot country, look for clues.

Can you find:

 A rocky area where marmots might hide?

A burrow entrance?

A marmot sitting high up where it can see around?

A place where a marmot might find something to eat?

Remember to give wild animals plenty of space. The best wildlife detectives are the ones who watch quietly from a distance.

I wonder…

If you were a marmot living high in the mountains…

What would you want to warn your friends about?

A fox?

An eagle?

A storm?

Or maybe…

a really curious kid with binoculars?

The mountains are full of animals talking to each other.

Sometimes, if you stop and listen,

you can hear the conversation.