The Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is found only in the high mountainous regions of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. The species can be distinguished from other marmots by their rich, chocolate brown fur and contrasting white patches. Individuals live in small colonies in subalpine meadows on steep, avalanche-prone slopes, preferring those with a southern exposure. They usually hibernate 8 months out of the year. Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms (as opposed to folk taxonomy). ... Binomial name Aptenodytes forsteri Gray, 1844 For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders Subclass Multituberculata (extinct) Plagiaulacida Cimolodonta Subclass Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Subclass Triconodonta (extinct) Subclass Eutheria (includes extinct ancestors)/Placentalia (excludes extinct ancestors) Afrosoricida Artiodactyla Carnivora Cetacea Chiroptera Cimolesta (extinct) Creodonta (extinct) Condylarthra (extinct) Dermoptera Desmostylia (extinct) Embrithopoda (extinct) Hyracoidea Insectivora Lagomorpha Litopterna (extinct) Macroscelidea Mesonychia (extinct) Notoungulata (extinct) Perissodactyla Pholidota Plesiadapiformes... Families Many, see text The order Rodentia is the most numerous of all the branches on the mammal family tree. ... Genera Many: see text. ... Genera Many: see text. ... Species see text Marmots are members of the genus Marmota, in the rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels). ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Vancouver Island is separated from mainland British Columbia by the Strait of Georgia and the Queen Charlotte Strait, and from Washington by the Juan De Fuca Strait. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages none stated in law; English is de facto Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 36 6 Area Total  â€¢ Land  â€¢ Water    (% of total)  Ranked 5th 944,735... Species see text Marmots are members of the genus Marmota, in the rodent family Sciuridae (squirrels). ... A Himalayan avalanche. ... Hibernation is a state of regulated hypothermia, lasting several days or weeks, that allows animals to conserve energy during the winter. ...

These animals are herbivores, eating berries, flowers, leaves, roots and bark. A deer and two fawns feeding on some foliage In zoology, a herbivore is an animal that is adapted to eat primarily plant matter (rather than meat). ...

Mating occurs in early spring. Females bear 3 to 5 young after a 30 day gestation period; most mature females breed every second year. After they are two years old, the young marmots attempt to find their own territories. Pregnancy Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or fetuses by female mammals, including humans, inside their bodies. ...

Predators include golden eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, pumas and black bears. Binomial name Aquila chrysaetos Linnaeus, 1758 The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. ... Binomial name Buteo jamaicensis (Gmelin,, 1788) The Red-tailed Hawk, Buteo jamaicensis, is a large North American hawk, and one of two species colloquially known as the Chickenhawk. ... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Binomial name Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780 The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), also known as simply the black bear or cinnamon bear, is the most common bear in North America. ...

The closest relative of the Vancouver Island Marmot is the Hoary Marmot, Marmota caligata. Binomial name Marmota caligata (Eschscholtz, 1829) The Hoary Marmot (Marmota caligata) is found in the mountains of northwest North America. ...

The Vancouver Island Marmot is one of the world's rarest mammals and Canada's most endangered species. The wild population numbered less that 40 individuals at the end of 2005. A recovery program, begun in 1998, aims to increase the population through captive-breeding and gradual reintroduction into protected Marmot habitats.

The captive-breeding program, implemented in a number of Canadian facilties, has steadilly grown with 150 individuals in captivity and over 44 pups born in 2005 alone. A number of individuals were released in 2005 and more releases are expected in the upcoming years.

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis)
• Marmot Recovery Foundation
• Species at risk