Olympic marmot (Marmota olympus), Olympic National Park, 2015.

The Olympic marmot occurs only in the state of Washington, at the middle elevations of the Olympic Peninsula. This rodent is a member of the squirrel family (Sciuridae), about the size of a domestic cat. They are very social animals that live in colony burrows. Some colonies may consist of only one family while other colonies may contain up to 40 marmots from many families! These underground burrows protect them during their winter hibernation as well as provide safe housing for young during the summer breeding season.