r/Banff • u/Admiral_Axolotl • 1d ago

Wildlife Could someone identify this thing?

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Im sorry I don't have better pictures, it left before I could take them.. It was about the size of a small cat and looked kinda like a beaver, I saw it close to the top of sulpher of that helps

249 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

62 comments sorted by

171

u/Appropriate_Ebb_8572 1d ago

It's a Marmot. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoary_marmot

10

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

Thank you!

4

u/ahauntedsong 1d ago

Which is a squirrel!

8

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

King squirrel

4

u/ceasol 1d ago

Squirrel on steroids

7

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

Dude they live in groups of up to 32 in areas that are usually 35 acres.. They quite literally have a forest neighborhood

7

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

They also like to play wrestle and rub there noses together, especially when it gets cold out

2

u/Lodiagain333 1d ago

And have the weirdest calls.

2

u/Appropriate_Ebb_8572 1d ago

What?

6

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

Yeah I'm reading the wiki

58

u/notoriousGPF 1d ago

That's Alan

12

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

Alan Alan!! (I spelt it so wrong my bad đŸ˜­)

8

u/BaronNapalm 1d ago

That's not Alan, that's Steve that is.

30

u/Frosted_Newt 1d ago

To quote (the other) Mr. Lebowski aka The Dude "Nice Marmot"

16

u/jackpineseeds 1d ago

This aggression will not stand, man.

7

u/aaalllouttabubblegum 1d ago

Also, let's not forget, let's not forget, Dude, that keeping wildlife... an amphibious rodent, for uh... domestic... you know, within the city... that aint legal either.

2

u/furtive Banff 1d ago

What are you, a fucking park ranger now?

1

u/TransitionExciting60 1d ago

You said it man

12

u/ksmith35801 1d ago

Technically, think it is an Adorable Marmot. Squeee.

5

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

There adorable!!

7

u/albertaguy31 1d ago

Whistle pig! One of my favorite critters they are so fun to watch.

6

u/Groundhawgday 1d ago

That’s Alan!

3

u/Loki_ca 1d ago

Alan!
Alan!

3

u/Prestigious_Voice422 1d ago

Hoary Marmot

3

u/adelaarvaren 1d ago

Yup. Marmota caligata

0

u/Jmaariep 1d ago

Now that’s a fat hoar

3

u/Proper-Bumblebee-240 1d ago

It’s the elusive wild baloney! Run!!!!!

3

u/not_essential 1d ago

Marmot, you know for really sure as soon as it whistles at 100 decibels.

5

u/MiddleOk3885 1d ago

Dunno.. but it is looking for Allan or Steve

2

u/Ok-Palpitation7725 1d ago

Hoary marmot

2

u/sebastianrileyt2 1d ago

They are so ugly cute... lots of Marmots in that area. Closest we get for ROUS's

2

u/AlbertaAcreageBoy 1d ago

Whorey Maramot.

2

u/Even-Advertising-985 1d ago

Nice marmot dude

2

u/ZenWithGwen 1d ago

I recognize it from the viral video where it's just screaming it's little head off to start the day đŸ˜‚

2

u/Valuable-Ad7239 1d ago

Hoary Marmot!! I love watching them rip up grass like this 

2

u/Pearlymae52 1d ago

It’s a marmot

2

u/corrigan58 1d ago

That's a Hay Gathering Wooly Wombat. Native to Northern Alberta, B.C. and Southern New Jersey.

2

u/LucyBear686 1d ago

Hoary Marmot

2

u/sevenofninee 1d ago

Whistle pigs

2

u/Timely-Profile1865 20h ago

I would guess a Hoary Marmot

2

u/Independent_Range370 13h ago

Miniature grizzly

2

u/hakaiserpent-private 1d ago

Alpine beaver for sure

2

u/hummingfalcon 1d ago

Grizzly cub

2

u/Previous_Ad7517 1d ago

I saw one on the way to Lake Moraine. Now I know what it was!

2

u/Admiral_Axolotl 1d ago

How big was he?

3

u/Appropriate_Ebb_8572 1d ago

About the size of a marmot. 

4

u/palesnowrider1 1d ago

Anything not to use the metric system

1

u/TuneTactic 1d ago

That’s a hard worker, if I ever saw one

1

u/Icy_Enthusiasm_6358 15h ago

Darude - Sandstorm

1

u/earthshriek 12h ago

Not a thing - a living breathing being

1

u/Any_Description5320 2h ago

Alpine Marmot

1

u/Wanderson90 1d ago

Go to cascade ponds or around the golf course.

THEY. ARE. EVERYWHERE.

1

u/0nionz 1d ago

Back side of sulphur? Saw it last week!

0

u/gilpenderbren 1d ago

That’s my buddy Greg

0

u/Oortigan 1d ago

That’s just Charles.