Wyoming’s high country holds a quiet signal that spring has truly arrived — a round, furry shape perched atop a boulder, scanning the landscape after months underground. Marmots are among the state’s most dedicated hibernators, spending more of their lives asleep than almost any other mammal in the Rockies.
If you’re curious about when marmots come out of hibernation in Wyoming, what they do once they surface, and where you’re most likely to see one, this guide walks you through everything you need to know about these charismatic alpine residents.
Which Marmot Species Live in Wyoming
Wyoming is home to one primary marmot species that you’re very likely to encounter in the wild. The yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris), also known as the rock chuck, is a large, stout-bodied ground squirrel in the marmot genus. It’s the marmot you’ll find sunning itself on boulders throughout the state’s mountain ranges.
The yellow-bellied marmot lives in southwestern Canada and the western United States, including the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. Its range extends into the montane and basin regions of Wyoming, eastern Montana, Colorado, and southern Alberta…