Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Two Marmots Found Far From Home in the Bay Area

Wildlife officials are investigating how two yellow-bellied marmots, typically alpine specialists, ended up in the San Francisco Bay Area, far from their usual mountain habitats.

The first marmot was discovered in San Francisco's Mission District, prompting a rescue effort. A second marmot was later found in Antioch, about 45 miles away. Both animals are unharmed but disoriented.

Rescuers suspect the marmots may have hitched a ride, possibly by climbing into car undercarriages, a behavior known to occur when they seek radiator fluid.

Yellow-bellied marmots are large, social rodents found in the West, weighing up to 11 pounds and hibernating for up to eight months.

Efforts are underway to determine the marmots' origins for their safe return. If their home cannot be identified, they may be transferred to a center that can assist with their release.

Motorists traveling through the Sierra Nevada in spring and summer are advised to "marmot-proof" their vehicles by checking undercarriages and engine compartments, as the rodents can damage hoses and wiring.

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