Hikers who enjoy the quiet of the high elevations of many mountains in western North America are sometimes startled to hear a sharp whistle nearby. They will usually stop, thinking someone is trying to get their attention. But if they look closely they are pretty sure to discover that the whistler is a mountain marmot. They will probably find it perched on top of a rock, carefully looking them over.
The marmot, between one and two feet long, looks similar to a beaver. It is the largest member of the squirrel family. Short-legged and with its nine-inch furry tail stretched out behind and its small ears perked up, its dark eyes closely watch the hiker. If the hiker should start to climb toward this reddish-furred sentinel, a sharper whistle would warn all other marmots to run into their burrows, which the watcher also would do. Soon it would cautiously look out and, if the danger had disappeared, give an appropriate whistle to let its companions know the coast was clear. Aside from the warning whistles, large groups communicate with one another in whistle-language. It is not hard to see why they are called whistlers.
Expert excavators, each family digs its own burrow which is from 10 to 25 feet long. It has an entrance under the shelter of a rock which is big enough to ensure that no bear or coyote can shove it aside. At the end of each burrow, a den is lined with moss and grass, and space is reserved to store food. Frequently, two burrows lead to one den which provides a safety factor for quick entry and an extra means of escape if necessary. Retiring for the winter with fattened stomachs dragging on the ground, they are well prepared for hibernation until spring. All these details tell of the Creator’s care over them.
Usually four or five pups are born in May, and a few weeks later they begin to wander outside. They stay with their parents through the summer and following winter. The youngsters playfully roll and tumble together as parents watch, and all have a happy relationship, nuzzling and stroking each other with their paws.
We read in the Bible, “O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God!” (Psalm 36:67). Marmots have no way of knowing of the Creator’s watchful care, but we who have been more favored than any other creature are told in God’s holy Word, the Bible, of His constant care. We also read of His love that has provided everlasting life for all who accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour. How thankful we should be for such loving care.
OCTOBER 4, 1998
ML-10/04/1998