North America

The Olympic marmot (Marmota olympus) is endemic to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, USA — it exists nowhere else on Earth. Found only above 1,500 meters in the subalpine meadows of Olympic National Park, this species has one of the most restricted ranges of any North American mammal. Climate change is shrinking its alpine habitat, and the species is considered vulnerable by conservation scientists.

The groundhog, or woodchuck (Marmota monax), is the most well-known marmot species. Every February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil — a groundhog in Pennsylvania, USA — supposedly predicts the arrival of spring: if he sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter are expected. This 'Groundhog Day' tradition dates back to the 1880s and is now a beloved cultural event attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually.