Vancouver Island Marmot

by Maristel

APPEARANCE

The Vancouver Island Marmot is an endangered mammal. The scientific name for this animal is Marmota Vancouverensis. The Vancouver Island Marmot is a herbivore and is a member of the Woodchuck family, and is the largest squirrel family member. There are 100-200 or 50-100 left since 1995. This mammal breeds in April or May. Then about a month later four or five young are born. The Vancouver Island Marmot is found to be rarest marmot in North America. The Vancouver Island Marmot is small. It weighs 3 to 6 kilograms. The Vancouver Island Marmot's fur color is black of dark brown with white on their muzzle, forehead, and breast. Their dark color fades until their fur is replaced. They are very playful animals. They have wrestling matches standing on their hind legs trying to knock each other down.

HABITAT

The Vancouver Island Marmot is only found on mountains, steep slopes, and burrows of Vancouver Island. Since 1972 the Vancouver Island Marmot was found at 45 sites on 15 different mountains.

FOOD

The Vancouver Island Marmot's favorite foods are plants, berries, and flowers. They like to eat leaves and flowers of Cow- Parsnip, fruit of Kinnikinnick, Huckle- Berry, and flowers of spreading Phylox, Indian Paintbrush, and Tiger Lily.

WHY ENDANGERED?

The reason why the Vancouver Island Marmot is endangered is loss of habitat because of ski developments and logging in the forests.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

What we can do to stop the Vancouver Island Marmot from getting more endangered is stop the harassment to this animal. British Columbia is protecting the Vancouver Island Marmot under the Wildlife Act and Regulations.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mastin, Colleayn O. Canadian Endangered Species. Kamloops:

Grasshopper Publishing, 1995.

" Vancouver Island Marmot". Endangered Canadian Wildlife.