The marmot found in this part of Austria is the Alpine marmot - a large, omnivorous type of ground squirrel. It's the largest of fifteen marmot species reaching up to 21 inches in length and weighing as much as 18 pounds.
Although Alpine marmots have a reputation for being shy creatures, there has been recent speculation about just how shy they are. This may have been caused by a young Austrian boy called Matteo Walch, whose photographs passed around the Internet in 2012. The photos depicted young Matteo, from Innsbruck, playing with, feeding and even rubbing noses with Alpine marmots, which prompted discussions around them not being so secretive after all.
The fact is, like all animals, when marmots feel threatened, they either run or they hide. Not only this but marmots, before doing their disappearing act, will actually whistle loudly to alert others of their kind to danger. But in many areas of the world, where heavy tourism has forced marmots and humans into the same territory, marmots have had to adapt. Just like the deer of Richmond Park, these marmots have simply had to learn to live with humans, which has made them a bit more complacent about the presence of humans.
Fortunately, here in Lungau's Biosphere - UNESCO's latest protected region in Austria - nature is still very carefully preserved. Alpine marmots in Lungau are still very wary of people, and to spot them, one needs to be respectful, quiet and a little bit sneaky. Let's hope it stays that way!

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St Martin Chalets aim to offer the best self catering holidays in Austria by doing something a little bit different. As well as providing all kinds of free services for guests - from mountain guiding to pre-holiday shopping - the managers live on site, making sure everyone has everything they need from morning to night.

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