Visiting the Marmots in the Alps

Ground Squirrels, hamsters, squirrels and Marmots are my favorite animals next to birds. And I am lucky that I can find so many species here in Austria. These Animals can be found on several mountains in the Austrian Alps, but on most places they are very shy, and it is difficult to get close to them. On some other places they are used to humans and come very close because they know that they are usually fed by them. I am not really happy with this behavior, but still it gives me the chance to get closer to them for some pictures. In that Case, I like it. At least I inform myself of good food to give them before I feed them. Best are apples, carrots, roots, grass. No Bread, sugar, snacks, and similar junk food.

Marmot eating a carrot. Picture: Florian Glechner.

I always find it fascinating when a wild animal like a hamster or a Marmot trust you so much that you can get very close with your camera. In some of these pictures, I was only a few centimeters away from the marmot, and it still didn't mind getting photographed. The next thing that they have in common with ground squirrels and hamsters is that they are pretty curious about everything that happens around them.

Happy Marmot with a carrot. Picture: Florian Glechner.

Marmot on the green grass in the alps. Picture: Florian Glechner.
Picture: Florian Glechner.

Happy with a piece of apple. Picture: Florian Glechner.
Picture: Florian Glechner.

Picture: Florian Glechner.

Marmot with a mountain in the background. Picture: Florian Glechner.
Picture: Florian Glechner.