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Marmota

Marmota

8.9
A group of large ground squirrels that live in burrows in mountains and fields of North America and Eurasia
  • noun
  • /mɑrˈmoʊtə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : marmota
  • The Alpine marmot, a species of Marmota, is native to mountainous regions of Europe.

Examples

  • The Marmota is known for its hibernation habits.

  • Did you see the Marmota in the park?

  • Members of the Marmota genus are well known for their burrowing habits and hibernation.

  • Scientists discovered a new species within the genus Marmota in the remote mountains.

  • Marmotas are commonly found in mountainous regions, where they dig burrows to live in.

  • During the summer, marmotas can be seen feeding on grass and wildflowers.

  • Marmotas communicate using a series of high-pitched whistles to warn each other of predators.

Synonyms

genus Marmota
vsMarmota
  • Specialized
9.1

A group of large ground squirrels found in North America, Europe, and Asia

uses the single regional term Eurasia instead of naming Europe and Asia separately

Compounds

Marmota caligata
  • Specialized
9.9

A large mountain marmot from northwestern North America that lives in cold high places

Marmota flaviventris
  • Specialized
9.9

A large yellow-bellied rodent that lives on rocks in western North America

genus Marmota
  • Specialized
9.1

A group of large ground squirrels found in North America, Europe, and Asia

Surface Forms

Marmota singular
Marmotas plural

Etymology

Marmota comes from an old Latin name and is the source of the English word marmot. One idea is that it links to Latin marmor meaning 'marble', perhaps because of the animal's grey or patterned fur, so Marmota became the name for these large, ground-dwelling squirrels.