Marmot vs. Squirrel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 27, 2024
Marmots are large, burrowing rodents known for their stout bodies and social behavior, primarily found in mountainous regions, while squirrels are smaller, agile rodents with bushy tails, widespread in various habitats.
Difference Between Marmot and Squirrel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Marmots belong to the genus Marmota, with species like the woodchuck or groundhog, and are characterized by their hefty build and furry coats. Whereas, squirrels are part of the family Sciuridae, which includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels, noted for their slender bodies and long, bushy tails.
Marmots are primarily ground-dwellers and are excellent diggers, creating extensive burrow systems where they live in colonies. On the other hand, many squirrels are adept climbers and spend a significant amount of time in trees, although some species are also ground-dwelling.
Marmots typically hibernate during the winter months, relying on their fat reserves to survive the cold. Whereas, squirrels generally do not hibernate, though some species might enter a light torpor but remain active during the winter.
In terms of diet, marmots are mainly herbivores, feeding on grasses, berries, and lichens. Whereas, squirrels have a more varied diet that can include nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and even small birds depending on the species.
Marmots are often found in alpine and subalpine environments and are widely distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Whereas, squirrels are found in a vast range of environments from tropical rainforests to urban areas, making them one of the most widespread rodents.
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Comparison Chart
Size and Build
Larger and stouter, with thick fur
Smaller, more slender with a bushy tail
Habitat
Ground-dwelling, mountainous regions
Varied, including trees and ground
Hibernation
True hibernators
Generally do not hibernate, may enter torpor
Diet
Primarily herbivorous
Omnivorous, with a diet including nuts, seeds, and insects
Distribution
North America, Europe, Asia
Worldwide in a variety of climates
Compare with Definitions
Marmot
Known for their social behavior and living in colonies.
Marmots are known to use whistles to communicate and warn each other of predators.
Squirrel
Does not hibernate but may reduce activity in winter.
Squirrels can be seen active even in snowy conditions, searching for buried nuts.
Marmot
A large ground-dwelling rodent known for its burrowing habits.
The alpine marmot is often spotted sunning itself outside its burrow in the rocky mountains.
Squirrel
Highly versatile diet that includes seeds, nuts, fruits, and sometimes insects.
Grey squirrels are often seen foraging for acorns in forests and urban parks.
Marmot
Hibernates during the winter to survive the cold.
Marmots spend up to 7 months in hibernation depending on the altitude and latitude of their habitat.
Squirrel
Includes tree, ground, and flying squirrels, each adapted to different lifestyles.
Flying squirrels glide between trees using flaps of skin between their legs.
Marmot
Belongs to the genus Marmota, with several species found in cold climates.
The yellow-bellied marmot is commonly found across the western United States.
Squirrel
Found in a wide range of environments from dense forests to urban areas.
Squirrels are a common sight in city parks, often approaching humans for food.
Marmot
Primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of mountain vegetation.
Marmots feed extensively on greens during the summer to build up fat reserves for hibernation.
Squirrel
A small to medium-sized rodent with a distinctive bushy tail.
The red squirrel is famous for its vibrant coat and bushy tail.
Marmot
Marmots are relatively large ground squirrels in the genus Marmota, with 15 species living in Asia, Europe, and North America. These herbivores are active during the summer when often found in groups, but are not seen during the winter when they hibernate underground.
Squirrel
Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-size rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including groundhogs), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs amongst other rodents.
Marmot
Any of various stocky, coarse-furred, burrowing rodents of the genus Marmota, having short legs and ears and short bushy tails and found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Squirrel
Any of various arboreal rodents of the tribe Sciurini and especially of the genus Sciurus, characteristically having a long flexible bushy tail. Also called tree squirrel.
Marmot
Any of several large ground-dwelling rodents of the genera Marmota and Cynomys in the squirrel family.
Squirrel
Any of various other rodents of the family Sciuridae, such as the ground squirrels and the flying squirrels.
Marmot
Any rodent of the genus Marmota (formerly Arctomys) of the subfamily Sciurinae. The common European marmot (Marmota marmotta) is about the size of a rabbit, and inhabits the higher regions of the Alps and Pyrenees. The bobac is another European species. The common American species (Marmota monax) is the woodchuck (also called groundhog), but the name marmot is usually used only for the western variety.
Squirrel
The fur of one of these rodents.
Marmot
Any one of several species of ground squirrels or gophers of the genus Spermophilus; also, the prairie dog.
Squirrel
To hide or store
Squirreled away her money.
Marmot
Stocky coarse-furred burrowing rodent with a short bushy tail found throughout the northern hemisphere; hibernates in winter
Squirrel
Any of the rodents of the family Sciuridae distinguished by their large bushy tail.
Squirrel
A person, usually a freezoner, who applies L. Ron Hubbard's technology in a heterodox manner.
Squirrel
One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
Squirrel
Someone who displays a squirrel-like qualities such as stealing or hoarding objects.
Squirrel
(transitive) To store in a secretive manner, to hide something for future use
Squirrel
Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera of the family Sciuridæ. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows.
Squirrel
One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
Squirrel
A kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
Squirrel
The fur of a squirrel
Common Curiosities
How can you tell a marmot from a squirrel?
Marmots are significantly larger and stouter than most squirrels and have less prominent tails.
Do marmots live alone or in groups?
Marmots usually live in colonies and have complex social structures.
Are marmots friendly to humans?
Marmots are generally shy and will avoid human contact, though they can become accustomed to human presence in tourist-heavy areas.
Can squirrels be considered pests?
In many urban areas, squirrels can be considered pests due to their habit of raiding bird feeders and gardens.
How do squirrels prepare for winter?
Squirrels gather and store food in various caches to survive the winter months.
How do marmots communicate?
Marmots use a variety of vocalizations, most notably a high-pitched whistle, to communicate and alert each other to threats.
What challenges do squirrels face in urban areas?
Squirrels in urban areas often face threats from traffic, loss of natural habitat, and conflicts with humans.
Do marmots carry diseases?
Like many wild animals, marmots can carry diseases, including the plague, though this is relatively rare.
How can marmots be beneficial to ecosystems?
Marmots help aerate the soil through their digging activities and serve as prey for various predators, contributing to ecological balance.
What kind of environments do squirrels prefer?
Squirrels are adaptable and can thrive in diverse environments, from wooded areas to urban settings.
What is unique about flying squirrels?
Unlike other squirrels, flying squirrels have a membrane between their limbs that allows them to glide through the air.
What is the lifespan of a marmot?
Marmots typically live up to 15 years in the wild, depending on the species.
What are the main predators of squirrels?
Common predators include birds of prey, snakes, and mammals like foxes and cats.
Is it safe to feed wild squirrels?
While feeding wild animals can sometimes harm their natural foraging instincts, if done cautiously and sparingly, it can be safe.
Are there different types of marmots?
Yes, there are several species of marmots, including the common woodchuck, the alpine marmot, and the Himalayan marmot.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
