Hiker Sees A Marmot Approaching Him & Freezes - He Will Never Forget What Happens Next! 

Have you ever had such a sweet interaction with a wild animal? 🐾

Human: "Oh, she's so sweet" Marmot: " Yey, salt."

The marmot still tells stories of the giant salty creature lurking somewhere in the forest 😂

I don't care whether she wanted salt or his bank book - this was absolutely adorable and his reaction so dightful.

2:39 “Ultimately humans are part of nature. And nature comes to nature”. Beautifully said ❤

Wow, that's pretty amazing, what a sweetheart. Hopefully nobody will ruin her good nature by harming her. She's a treasure to protect.

I am happy to hear him say "Human's are part of nature too." Too often we are made to feel separate for nature..when in fact we are natural too...and part of the nature of the Earth!

She was after the salt in his sweat, but it was remarkable that she was willing to come right up to him to get it. He and his friends were definitely not giving off any dangerous vibes, so she was willing to take a chance on trusting them.

A sign of a good person is when wild life approaches you. He's clearly giving off good energy. 😊

When I was in Africa a meerkat approached me and jumped on my lap. I felt so humbled and happy like I've never felt before. It's an amazing experience when an animal approaches you this way

What a thoughtful response this group of people had: to refrain from actually feeding the marmot since it could lead to the marmot expecting food from humans and possibly putting herself in danger.

What a sweet interaction. Yes, the marmot was enjoying the salt, but since the man had stroked her (grooming) she was grooming back. Mutual grooming is a friendly gesture between mammals. My cats will do this too, licking me after I pet them. My horses will groom me back too, although horses groom by nibbling, and once the teeth come into play I have to call a halt.

Many animals are comfortable being around other animals. They graze and feed together. But most wild animals have a natural fear of humans, so this was extraordinary. A beautiful interaction!

“Nature comes to nature,” what a great way of describing the interaction

Priceless! Yes, she was licking the salt off his skin. How cute and so sweet. Impressive that she was so gentle and he was so aware of how to behave. Marmots and Pikas are having a hard time with the warming of the mountains and changes to their environment. Anything we can do to help them survive we should do. What a memory.

She’s like, “you smell like you belong to me…you taste like you belong to me…yep, you are mine!” So cute. ❤️

2 yrs on and this shows up in my yt recommend feed. No idea why, don't care. What a wonderful, uplifting encounter. Thank you for being so kind and gentle and just letting her "explore" your body lol. I knew it was the salt, but still...how does she know you have salt in your sweat? Smell I'm guessing, but STILL...she approached another "animal" much larger than herself, with many others nearby. She really trusted this group of "animals" lol. I just love nature, and all it's animals. Thank You for sharing this!!

Just coming out of hibernation she was craving salt, and since you were not a threat you were a great source. Interaction between humans and wildlife will always be an amazing experience! Thank you for your time in sharing this with us.

Really a cute little animal. It seems obvious that she has experienced people before. And yes, she does like salt, but there is a certain degree of trust there as well. She may even have stationed herself where she knows hikers will pass by.

0:54 mmm a delicious human salt lolly.

Thank you so much for sharing this video and for showing the hiker's kindness and patience with the sweet Marmot. It's so important that when humans enter the habitats of our animal friends, we're respectful, never hurtful or aggressive. I really enjoyed watching this.

He was absolutely right that we're all a part of nature and we should treat everyone, human, animal or plants, with respect and love

This sweetheart was able to sense the SWEETNESS in you. You seem like a very caring person.

Awwww she kissed him one last time on his nose like a "goodbye new friend". How special.

When a wild animal trusts you, it feels like a compliment!

I've observed more than once, young animals in isolated places having no fear of humans. It can even happen with adult animals if they've never had contact with humans. There's an island where bears live that have absolutely no fear, or aggression toward people. I saw a documentary about the place. It was amazing. I'm glad they kept its location a secret.

I like how this guy expresses his thoughts

All I need to know about the character of a man is how he treats animals. This, THIS is a good and kind man.

I like that he also points out not to feed the wild animals.

You were blessed by this Marmot. You now belong to her. A very lucky man!

Love the guy's attitude, and they were able to record a once in a lifetime event. just amazing!

I actually had a similar experience with marmots in Desolation Wilderness in California. A friend of mine and I were fishing off some rocks when these marmots started to come around and check us out. Low and behold, after about a half hour or so a few of them decided we were alright and came into our camp and started coming up to us to get marshmallows we were using for fishing. We didn't touch them but they were taking marshmallows from our hands and even sleeping in our camp feet from us in total trust. I too will never forget this incredible moment with nature.

❤🙏❤What a precious wonderful experience! Thank you for your kindness and willingness to allow the beautiful marmot to interact with you! Blessings!❤😊🙏

This is the type of adventure I want to go on. Where the woodland creatures come out of their homes to greet me with kisses.🌼🌲

0:33. Ah, a human salt lick!

Prior to viewing this extraordinary encounter between the hiker and this brave Marmot, I did not even know what a Marmot was. May their lives be always without danger and happy in their environments. Thank you for sharing this event in nature and thank you video photographer for documenting this for us... what a professional👍Keep the adventures coming🤗🇺🇲

She didn’t fear getting what she wanted. So precious. ✌🏻💚🤞

Absolutely precious! Our cats do this to us, but never a wild animal. My husband and I went to Mount Ranier in Washington State a few years ago and saw marmots there. We watched them from a distance. They were so cute playing together and “boxing” with one another. Thank you for sharing this wonderful bit of video of a beautiful encounter with an animal friend! Blessings!❤️

Awe!!! So cute. I thought she'd be very wary, but she's a fearless little thing. She loved the salt on your skin, apparently you tasted good, lol. Such wholesome content. I love this so much!! Great video. Heartfelt thanks!❤🦡❤

Not a wild animal, but an outdoor presumably family cat. I was 12 and having a really hard time with bullying in school. I had found a quiet hiding spot in a forest park in the area. I sat down for a cathartic cry. A huge red tabby walked out of the brush and just in my lap and purred loudly, nuzzled my hand for pets, I eventually calmed down. Pet the cat for a little while. It made a vocalization, ‘Gleckt’ and stood up and walked away without looking back.

Even if she was just seeking salt, marmot kisses are very sweet! You are a fortunate man. Thank you for sharing the joy of this experience.💐

You received one of the greatest gifts than nature can give. Remember it forever, I will.

This is objectively stunning and also his analysis of the situation was perfect. Thank you for sharing love it.

Aww that fuzzy little hill dog was like, "Yay, a salty hooman!"

Animals are also a good judge of character, and she obviously felt that you were a nice person. It’s so sweet when animal does that specially like you said she was the one to seek you out❤

I'm amazed!! Marmots are usually very shy!! This was a special and very trusting creature.

What a sweet gift this Marmot shared with you! Totally fearless on both your part and hers, I'm sure she appreciated the minerals. Thank you for taking us along!

This fella was her flavor of the day! Perfect timing for such a gentle interaction.

How Precious! What a cute animal & so sweet & friendly, being wild.

That was just amazing! I've been around lots of wild animals that live near our house. They come into the yard looking for food and often find something. But never, ever, have I seen an animal approach a human in this way! An unforgettable encounter!

What a heartwarming video. Not twice in a lifetime would anyone ever hear of such a thing.

Wonderful! She probably had had no trauma related to humans. She felt safe. So cute! Thanks for sharing this beautiful interaction.❤

Animals know when humans have a good nature. This guy has a beautiful heart! God bless you!🙏❤️

She looked like she was praying over him when she paused on his s face. I seen one of these come out of nowhere one day when I was taking a break from hiking. I was surprised how big it was. My encounter wasn't as nice as this one but he just walked around me and stuff not scared at all. What an amazing encounter lol after the prayer and kisses she gave him I'd say he's blessed now! 😃🙏♥️🥰Thanks for sharing this!!!

It's amazing how she licked even his eyelid so gently, and he knew he could trust her gentleness. All encounters I've had with our fellow terrestrials has felt like a special honor. What a fabulous experience and memory to have!

And now that she's tasted you she knows how what spices and herbs to use! But honestly this was adorable and I'm glad it was a chill interaction on both sides

that is so sweet. my pet bunny does this to my face...giving me affection by cleaning my face. What a special interaction with a wild animal. Blessings.

Having stopped to take a break at a high point on the Continental Divide Trail, a marmot approached and visited me for a while. No doubt this particular individual was used to people stopping at that spot to take a rest. I heard the screech of an eagle at a distance and so did the marmot, who took off to it's burrow, knowing a predator was near by.

Wow, that was a lovely way to start my day, it's so beautiful to see a wild floofy not being afraid of humans, and that they acted perfectly, instead of getting over excited like most people would 😀

YT put this on my feed a year after you posted, but it feels good to comment anyway. Puppy woke me at 145 am...lol. Nice to see humans aren't making war or destroying earth for now. Bravo young man from arizona!!

Marmot was fascinated by all that hairless skin! 😂 then gave u a blessing at the end…🥰☺️

So wonderful that she encountered the right person who knew how to interact with her for both safety and not be tempted to feed her.

That was so sweet, and the man really understood that she needed the salt. Lovely interaction.

Oh my goodness what an utterly incredible and amazing moment and total honour! Such a precious sweetheart 😌💕 I pray no harm ever comes to her when she encounters other humans in the wild given how fearless and friendly she is because unfortunately not every human is as gentle and kind as these

What a beautiful moment she shared with you.

What an honour and privilege to have a wild animal interact with you like that. I’d prefer to have a good close encounter with a wild animal than meeting a famous person, the animal interaction would by far supersede any human contact (unless it was with David Attenborough - he has the ability to make you feel like you are there with him when he narrates stories and information) I had a wild fox come and climb into my car with me once, that was a thrill!!

That's awesome. I went hiking Saturday with my girlfriend and came 1 yard from a groundhog and 3 baby rabbits and about 10 yards from around 10 deer. 2 herds of 3 to 4 and the rest were lone

That was lovely, and so charming to watch. You are not the average salt-lick, but she seemed happy enough to replenish her salt/mineral levels in such a unique and loving way. She is a beautiful creature, and you have a life memory captured as it happened. Thanks for sharing.🖤🇨🇦

You have been blessed by the Marmot King!! Enjoy the licks... LOL!

Beautiful interaction. She was licking the salt off his skin. Amazing.

Wild animals may be dangerous, but seriously who could resist. Sweetest thing ever😊

He is a pleasing, relaxing speaker.

I think I have fallen in love with this man. 😂 He is just too sweet. This is adorable.

I was hiking in the Rockies once and a family of marmots came up to watch us. I think they must be intelligent and curious creatures. I appreciate this video and your kindness. May these sweet and charming animals continue to bless this planet.

I've never seen a marmot before, thank you so much! Glad you were able to relax and enjoy her! That must have felt like God's love visited you!

How precious and how great that they just let her be, before and after this experience 💖

What a stroke of good luck. Such a beautiful heartwarming scene. Thank you so much for sharing. A memory to be treasured.

Yes it is wild and often wild animals are over-trusted, but at the same time the intelligence and empathy of other animals is way underrated including life in the sea. I am very envious of your encounter, although I have had a good share of these too. This is beautiful!

She was a lucky girl. She came out of her burrow to find all the salt minerals her little body needed, and the human got a beautiful memory! It's a win win!😊

This is just utter perfection; being in such a beautiful place high up in the mountains AND get a free cuddle session with the most delightful little wild animal..! I would feel so incredibly honoured. An encounter that will glitter like a precious jewel in that man's memory for the rest of his life, I'm sure.

What an incredible experience. We`re so fortunate to have this captured and to have some humans that don`t want to hurt animals.

That is so sweet! She is adorable! And good for you in not giving her any type of food! Because you never know what something she's not used to having could do to her! It's so great that you were able to get the experience on camera! Thanks so much for sharing!

I am 67 years old. When i was 17 and my sister was 13, my father took us on a challenging back packing trip. Mount Whitney in southern california 14495 ft altitude. It required 2/3 day to reach 13000 base camp. The second day, my father and sister stayed at base camp. My friend jennifer and i summeted the next day by 1:30. Two things happened. My sister befriended a marmot that day as well! After she shared some cookies with it, it showed its appreciation by rewarding her with a wallet that it had hidden in its den! And, on our way back to base camp we came past a young lady ill equipped. She wore a thin cardigan sweater and oxford shoes. We insisted she join us back down as the waters across the trail were beginning to freeze near sunset. As it turned out, she was glad to have joined us. Her compatriots, who had left her while they summited, never returned for her that night. Also, jennifer contacted the wallet owner and was able to return it to him. He had been there a week before us and was grateful! Thanks for awakening a good memory! Ev

What an incredible moment in time and the setting ... Unbelievable

Such a lovely moment you they have. To love an animal is a kindness that money can't buy

The gentleman handled this perfectly ! And spoke well about the encounter. I would have felt privileged to meet this Marmot on her home ground. Marmots seem fairly calm and even ones used to humans seem more likely than other animals to be friendly and calm. How sweet ! TY for this glimpse of nature. I am a Marmot fan now !!

I don’t know why that little Marmot did what it did, 🤷🏾‍♂️ but that has to be one of the sweetest interactions that I have ever witnessed on video. Wow ! And that is a once in a lifetime experience. 🥰😍

Lucky devil, both of you! She got what she wanted and you got a beautiful and unforgettable experience! Thanks for posting.

This is adorable i love that humans everywhere are enchanted by little creatures

That was adorable. Made my day!

This is freakin' adorable! I have never seen anything like this before, who what of ever thought these people would see a friendly marmot in the wild!!🤓😍🤠

Aww so cute ! This is how we're made - to propagate love, kindness and concern for other forms of existence as well❤..

Wow that's totally amazing somehow that Marmot is acclimated to humans and is smart enough to know they won't hurt her

Omg, that is so fantastic. What a fun and memorable experience. I really happy you got it on tape to show us all. Thanks for sharing that cool moment with that cool critter in such a beautiful place.

Nice to imagine humans living in peace with nature and wild life.

Bro got used..definitely a 'friends with benefits' situation..😂

Wow.....such a neat experience I'm sure! Rare to see something like this! 👍🏻🙂

What an amazing and fantastic experience! My first thought was that she was licking the salt from his face so I'm glad he mentioned that. But she licked his entire face! And was not at all afraid or intimidated by him or his size. I've never seen a marmot before because we don't have them in Australia. It's like a big guinea pig or small capybara.

What a great experience to have while you're just outside, taking a hike. This video put a smile on my face. Thank you.😊

Nur besondere Menschen erleben solch Dinge. Urvertrauen verdient nicht jeder 😘