Predation on yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris)

I determined cause-specific mortality of yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota fl aviventris) to assess the importance of predation as a mortality factor. Co ntrary to earlier findings based on visual observation, almost all (98%) mo rtality during the summer active season was caused by predation. Coyotes (C anis latrans) were the most important predators, followed by badgers (Taxid ea taxus), American martens (Martes americana), black bears (Ursus american us) and raptors, probably golden eagles (Aguila chrysaetos). Predation oil marmots is cryptic; none of the predation events were observed and, in most cases, the marmot was consumed or removed so quickly and completely that s earching for carcass remains would have been fruitless.