Pronunciation: [mˈɑːmɒt] (IPA) 
The word "marmot" is spelled with an "m", "a", "r", "m", "o", and "t". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ˈmɑː.mət/. The "ar" sound is represented by the IPA symbol for the "a" sound, followed by the symbol for the "r" sound. The "o" sound is represented by its own symbol, and the "t" sound is spelled as expected. Overall, the spelling of "marmot" accurately represents the sounds used to pronounce the word.
A marmot is a medium-sized burrowing rodent belonging to the squirrel family, Sciuridae, and is typically found in mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is well-known for its stout body, short legs, and long bushy tail. Marmots have a rounded head with small ears and distinctive large cheek pouches used for storing food. They possess sharp claws on their feet, ideal for digging extensive burrow systems in which they live.
These social animals are herbivorous and mainly feed on plants, grasses, and roots. Marmots are diurnal creatures, spending a significant amount of their time basking in the sun. As excellent climbers and swimmers, they are adapted to their alpine habitats, which often involve rocky slopes and meadows. Marmots are renowned for their shrill alarm calls, which they emit to warn other members of their colony of potential threats such as predators.
Marmots go through a hibernation period, lasting for several months, during which their body metabolism slows down significantly. This allows them to conserve energy and survive in harsh winter conditions. During this time, marmots retreat to their burrows and live off stored fat reserves.
Due to their appealing appearance and behavior, marmots are often admired by nature enthusiasts. However, they can also be seen as pests in some agricultural regions, where they may damage crops. Overall, marmots play an essential role in their ecosystems as key herbivores and are significant components of alpine biodiversity.
The Alpine or mountain rat.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "marmot" derives from the Old French term "marmote" which originated from the medieval Latin word "murmūre", meaning "to murmur" or "to murmur to oneself". This in turn came from the Proto-Germanic word "murmurōną", which meant "to murmur" or "to rumble". The association of the word "marmot" with this murmuring or rumbling likely refers to the characteristic whistling sound that marmots make when communicating with each other.
