The Whistling Pigs Of Yoho: Hoary Marmots

Reading Level: 3 (Grade 3)

In the Canadian Rocky Mountains, there is a park called Yoho National Park. This wildlife tale took place early one misty morning on a Yoho walking trail. After visiting a tall waterfall tumbling down the mountain, we set off along a forest path.

The morning was quiet until we spotted an animal about the size of a small, chubby dog standing on the trail ahead. It was a hoary marmot. In a flash, the marmot slipped into a jumble of rocks beside the trail and disappeared. Or so we thought.

Surprise!
The marmot popped up onto a rock and began looking us over from head to toe. We stared back.

Hikers sometimes hear a sharp, high whistle from a hoary marmot. This sound warns family members that danger is near. The whistle is one way marmots talk to one another. They can also bark like a dog or make sounds that seem like teeth grinding. Because of that piercing whistle, hoary marmots are often called whistle pigs.

The marmot’s fur was silver-gray. The word hoary means silver or gray. This mix of colors helps the whistling pig blend into the Rocky Mountain landscape and hide from predators.

Is that marmot grinning?
There was a silver patch between its two tiny black eyes, with more silver fur around its dark nose. Marmots do not see very well, but they have excellent hearing.

Does the marmot look like it’s wearing boots?
It isn’t, but its feet are coal-black. That is why hoary marmots are sometimes called booted marmots. Each black toe has a snow-white stripe, making it look as if the marmot is wearing fancy nail polish.

Soon, another marmot joined the first on top of a large rock. Mountain marmots live in big family groups, often with fifteen to twenty members. They eat grasses, leaves, ferns, spiders, and worms. Yum!

The marmot’s tail looked like a long brush dipped in red-brown paint. Before long, the marmot headed back toward its burrow for a nap. These marmots live in cozy underground burrows tucked beneath large rocks. The rocks act like a superhero shield, helping protect them from predators such as eagles, red foxes, wolves, and bears.

Hoary marmots are active only during the daytime, mostly in early morning and late afternoon. They can often be seen touching noses. Young marmots wrestle and play, while adults enjoy stretching out on sun-warmed rocks. A group of marmots is called a madness.

During summer and fall, hoary marmots eat extra food to build up fat for winter. From September to April, they stay hidden in their burrows through the cold mountain months. While hibernating, their heartbeat slows to a few beats per minute, like a very slow drumbeat.

The best times to spot wildlife on mountain trails are early morning, late afternoon, and early evening. After saying goodbye to our whistling pig pals, we continued to another beautiful waterfall in Yoho National Park. Just like the marmots, we stayed alert for bears. When the rain stopped, we enjoyed a picnic beside the roaring falls, happy to have had a little madness in our day.

Literacy Training

Vocabulary:

1. burrow – a hole in the ground made by an animal (as a rabbit or fox) for shelter or protection “Burrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burrow. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
2. mountain – an elevation higher than a hill “Mountain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountain. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
3. National – belonging and maintained by the federal government “National.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/national. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
4. predator – an animal that obtains food mostly by killing and eating other animals “Predator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predator. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
5. surprise – a feeling caused by something unexpected “Surprise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surprise. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024
6. whistle – a clear shrill sound “Whistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whistle. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
7. wrestle – to struggle for control “Wrestle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrestle. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Comprehension:

1. Why is the hoary marmot called a whistle pig?
2. Where does the hoary marmot live?
3. What does the marmot do to survive the winter?
4. Why do you think a group of marmots is called a madness?
5. Why does the hoary marmot look like he wears boots?
6. If you were listening to a hoary marmot, what sound would you like to hear?
7. Why do you think mountain marmots might live in a group?
8. Why might marmots use different sounds to talk to their family?
9. Would a marmot see or hear you coming down the trail?
10. Why might the hoary marmot have different fur colors?

What is the dash between words?

That dash is called a hyphen.

Why are words hyphenated?

Hyphens often link two adjectives, so they work together as one idea before a noun. Think of it as teamwork. One job, two words.

Without a hyphen, the meaning can wobble.

Example:

• small dog house → Is the house small? Or the dog?
• small-dog house → Clear. House for a small dog.

Hyphens prevent confusion. They’re tiny traffic cops.

Compound Words

Compound words are made up of two smaller words. The new, bigger word will have a different meaning. What are the two smaller words in this big word – waterfall? What do you think about superhero?

References and Resources:

To listen to the hoary marmot whistle, click here: https://www.nps.gov/articles/hoary-marmot.htm

https://nhpbs.org/natureworks/hoarymarmot.htm

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hoarymarmot.main

All photographs are mine. All rights reserved.

_{© 2024 Vicki Sigman}