This Marmot looks like they are just about ready for winter as their fuel tanks look to be topped off. Well just perhaps one or two more meals as long as the weather is fine before heading into the burrow for 5-6 months.
Not sure I’ve ever seen anyone quite so fat and so grumpy looking at the same time…well…maybe the mother in law…wish she would go into a burrow for 6 months. π
We saw a nice fat one last Wednesday – the day before it snowed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains! He was definitely ready for winter! Nice shot – thanks for sharing! PHOTOROGR
HI, it is always fun to watch these guys. Last summer we watched a large family rollicking in the grass of a high alpine meadow on a sunny day. How times have changed as they are all getting ready for the winter now.
Hi Eliza, these guys have a fascinating biology where the neurons in the hunger center of their brains actually disconnect allowing them to not feel hungry through the winter.
I know of a colleague h is studying this. There is a hormone called leptin that does this in Marmots but Leptin does not function in a similar way in humans. For now the best defense against obesity is just to eat real food.
Grumpy maybe, but cute for sure. But then I have a weak spot for these plump little fur bags – even when they’ve chewed on my pack straps! Natural history note: They have a soft spot for canned sardines…
Not sure I’ve ever seen anyone quite so fat and so grumpy looking at the same time…well…maybe the mother in law…wish she would go into a burrow for 6 months. π
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π
Maybe his last meal did not taste so good?
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I agree– it looks carmudgeonly. Maybe someone disturbed its nap?
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And I think I know who disturbed it.
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We saw a nice fat one last Wednesday – the day before it snowed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains! He was definitely ready for winter! Nice shot – thanks for sharing! PHOTOROGR
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HI, it is always fun to watch these guys. Last summer we watched a large family rollicking in the grass of a high alpine meadow on a sunny day. How times have changed as they are all getting ready for the winter now.
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He’s wonderful, I’d love to give him a big fat hug but he’d probably bite me!
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It bet he would hug you back.
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βΊπππ
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That’s a long time between meals!
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Hi Eliza, these guys have a fascinating biology where the neurons in the hunger center of their brains actually disconnect allowing them to not feel hungry through the winter.
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So interesting!
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it is.
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I wonder if the science can help human obesity? Turning off hunger neurons could be helpful for many.
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I know of a colleague h is studying this. There is a hormone called leptin that does this in Marmots but Leptin does not function in a similar way in humans. For now the best defense against obesity is just to eat real food.
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Grumpy maybe, but cute for sure. But then I have a weak spot for these plump little fur bags – even when they’ve chewed on my pack straps! Natural history note: They have a soft spot for canned sardines…
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Perhaps I might be a bit marmot given my propensity to enjoy a sardine….especially while hiking in the high mountains.
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I like Mr. Grumpy. Fat and unhappy. π
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HI Jane…he’s an alright dude.
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