Marmota broweri was described as a subspecies of the hoary marmot, M. caligata,[5][6] but was later raised to species-level based on karyotypic differences.
[13] In support to the cytochrome b results, experimentation involving mitochondrial DNA has suggested that M. broweri is most likely related to M. caudata and M. menzbieri.
[14][11] However, there have been reports of Alaska marmots in the Richardson Mountains in the northern Yukon Territory but these sightings have not yet been confirmed.
[10] The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) does not consider their population "severely fragmented," but the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has described it as "patchy.
[1] They are often found in boulder fields, rock slides and outcrops, terminal moraines, and Talus slopes[20] in Alpine tundra with herbaceous forage.
[20] Adult Alaska marmots’ fur on their nose and the dorsal part of their head are usually of a dark color.
[3] The retina of the eye of Alaska marmots is entirely lacking of rods, making their night vision quite poor.
[20] The Alaska marmot's main nutrition source is vegetation that grows on mountain sides, which includes grasses, flowers, fruits, grains, legumes, lichen, and occasionally insects.
[3][4][20] M. bromeri must eat large amounts due to the low nutritional value and the need to prepare for hibernation.
[4] The Alaska marmot is preyed on by wolverines, gray wolves, grizzly bears, coyotes, and foxes.
[22] A sentry marmot will alert the colony via a two-toned, high-pitched warning call if there is a predator in the area.
Especially in large colonies, the Alaska marmots utilize sentry duty roles that are periodically rotated.
[22] M. broweri will mark their territory by secreting a substance from face-glands and rubbing the sides of their face on rocks around their den and various trails.
[9] Alaska marmots also enjoy sunbathing and spending a large amount of time in personal grooming.
[4] Alaska marmots accumulate a thick fat layer by late summer to sustain them throughout the winter hibernation.
[24] As an adaption to the Arctic environment and permanently frozen ground, Alaska marmots breed prior to emerging from the winter den.
The male and female Alaska marmots are involved in both raising and protecting the pups in their natal burrow.
In both sexes sexual reproductive behaviors are stimulated by odors released from anal scent glands.
Newly born Alaskan marmots are altricial;[22] hairless, toothless, blind[20] and are quite vulnerable to predators.
After about six weeks young marmots have thick, soft fur and they begin to temporarily leave the den.
[26] The bill, introduced by Senator Linda Menard, said, "It made sense for the marmot to become Alaska's version of Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog famed for his winter weather forecasts.