BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Marmota caligata
Hoary Marmot
| Scientific Name: | Marmota caligata |
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| English Name: | Hoary Marmot |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S5 |
| Date Status Assigned: | |
| Date Last Reviewed: | January 15, 2024 |
| Reasons: | This species is found over the majority of B.C. in the mountains. There are some threats, particularly due to climate change, however the extent and severity of these threats are undetermined at this time. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | G = 200,000-2,500,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | This alpine species occurs throughout the mainland of B.C. with the exception of the low boreal forests of the north east and the lowland dry valleys of the interior. They are typically found between 1250 and 2450 m elevation in alpine and subalpine meadows near boulders and rock slides (Nagorsen 2005b). |
| Area of Occupancy (km2): | U = Unknown |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | E = > 300 |
| Comments: | This species is found in alpine and subalpine meadows throughout B.C. (Nagorsen 2005b, iNaturalist 2023s) |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Hoary Marmots require certain winter and snowpack conditions for their survival and persistence, and changing climate conditions will be a factor in determining their distribution and likely their survival rates, particularly in the southern portion of their range (Turnock et al. 2017). There will be some disturbance via recreational use of the alpine and subalpine, particularly be heli-hikers. |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Data are not available to determine a trend. |
| Long-Term Trend: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Data are not available to determine a trend. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Environmental Specificity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Ramsay, L. (2023) |
| Date: | December 21, 2023 |
| References | |
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Turnock, B.Y., Litt, A.R., Vore, J.M. and Hammond, C.A., 2017. Habitat characteristics of the hoary marmot: assessing distribution limitations in Montana. Ecosphere, 8(10), p.e01977. |
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INaturalist. 2023s. Marmota caligatta observations. Accessed December 21, 2023 at https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=7085&subview=map&taxon_id=46087
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Nagorsen, D. W. 2005b. The rodents and lagomorphs of British Columbia. Royal B.C. Mus. Handb., Victoria, BC. 410pp.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2023. Conservation Status Report: Marmota caligata. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed May 30, 2026).