Marmot
Marmots are easily seen in the Swiss mountains in the summer. They live in family groups of up to 15 members, making their labyrinthine burrows in open meadows. When they emerge to feed - on grasses and other plants - one of them always stands guard. Their predators are both birds of prey and animals like foxes. When the look-out whistles, every marmot in the group instantly dives underground for safety.
Since they hibernate for about six months, they have to spend a lot of time feeding to stock up their fat reserves during summer and autumn. They can double their weight to 8 kg during the feeding season. During hibernation their body temperature drops to about 5 degrees Celsius. They wake as the snow is thawing.