Rocky Mountain National Park: Wildlife: Marmot and Pica

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Marmot and Pica

by Jesse Speer

by Jim Osterberg

by Ruth Clinton

Marmots and pica can be seen on the tundra while driving Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park. Marmots (mountain mice) also live in the neighboring town of Estes Park.

Pica, cousins of rabbits, are also called coneys or rock rabbits. Their shrill alarm call has given them the nickname "whistling hare."

Do not feed these cute critters. The Park cautions:

"Plague is endemic to the park and there have been outbreaks here in the past. This disease is transmitted by fleas from infected rodents especially ground squirrels. Do not feed or approach ground squirrels or other small mammals."
from www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/yoursafety.htm

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