marmot

Everyday

A marmot is a large, plump ground squirrel that lives in mountains and grasslands of Europe, Asia and North America, digs burrows and hibernates through the winter. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons marmots show hibernation: they sleep for up to eight months, their heartbeat slowing right down. Alpine marmots in the Alps whistle loudly to warn others of eagles or foxes. The groundhog (woodchuck) of North America is a kind of marmot — on Groundhog Day, Americans and Canadians watch one to «predict» the end of winter, just for fun. Phrases: «Alpine marmot», «sleep like a marmot».

Examples

• A marmot whistled to warn the others of an eagle. tree →
• Marmots hibernate in burrows all winter. tree →
• We saw marmots sunbathing on rocks in the Alps. tree →
• The groundhog is a kind of marmot. tree →
• Marmots live in family groups. tree →
• A marmot is about the size of a big cat. tree →

Note

Plural «marmots». Say MAR-mut. Myth: the groundhog cannot really forecast the weather; it's a fun tradition.