Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 19,377 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Yellow-bellied Marmot: observations by month (U.S.)
About Yellow-bellied Marmot
The yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris), also known as the rock chuck, is a large, stout-bodied ground squirrel in the marmot genus. It is one of fourteen species of marmots, and is native to mountainous regions of southwestern Canada and western United States, including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, and Mount Rainier in the state of Washington, typically living above 6,500 feet (2,000 m). The fur is mainly brown, with a dark bushy tail, yellow chest and white...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Yellow-bellied Marmot by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 6,504 | July | Jun–Aug |
| California | 3,832 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Wyoming | 2,683 | July | May–Aug |
| Washington | 1,649 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Utah | 1,281 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Idaho | 1,071 | May | Mar–Jul |
| Oregon | 1,053 | June | Mar–Aug |
| Montana | 484 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Nevada | 396 | June | Mar–Jul |
| New Mexico | 221 | July | Jun–Aug |
| South Dakota | 203 | June | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Squirrels)
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
California Ground Squirrel
Groundhog
American Red Squirrel
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Yellow-bellied Marmot?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from May to August.
Where is Yellow-bellied Marmot most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, California, Wyoming.