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Alpine marmot

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The Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) is a large ground squirrel of the mountains of central Europe.[1]

Description

Its colour varies. It is grizzled tan to russet above and paler below, with a tan to dark brown head and a pale patch on the snout and chin. Adults measure 500 to 600 mm from head to rump, have a 150 mm tail and weigh 2.5 to 5 kg.[1]

Distribution and habitat

The Alpine marmot lives in the Alps of France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and Slovenia, and in the Tatras and Carpathians. It has been introduced to the Pyrenees, eastern Austria, Serbia and Montenegro. It lives on alpine meadows and high pastures, mostly on south-facing slopes between 1,200 and 3,000 m.[1] Its activity in summer is limited more by heat than by cold.[2]

Hibernation

Alpine marmots hibernate together in family groups for about six to seven months. Burrows are 3 to 10 m long, with a nest chamber 1 to 2 m deep, and are plugged by late September.[1][3] The species is small for a marmot when hibernation starts, so huddling to share warmth is important.[3] Most deaths happen during hibernation, and whole groups can die when parents hibernate with juveniles.[4][5]

Social life and breeding

A family group is an adult male, an adult female and young under three years old.[4] Many families are just a breeding pair with or without young, and solitary animals are almost unknown.[6] The pairs are socially monogamous, but 30 to 33 per cent of litters involve matings outside the pair.[1] The dominant female stops other females in the group from breeding.[1][7] Young animals disperse late, and only some subordinates later become dominant in their home territory.[1][8] Males who take over a group kill the juveniles.[4]

Mating takes place in late April or early May. Pregnancy lasts 33 to 34 days[9] and litters have two to four young.[1][4] Only about half of adult females breed in any year, and a female usually skips a year between successful litters.[4][2]

Predators and people

The main predators are canids and large birds of prey. The marmot has two kinds of alarm whistle. One animal often watches while others feed, and gives a high-pitched whistle if it sees danger.[9] It is hunted in some countries for food, fur and fat.[4]

Status

Animal Diversity Web lists the Alpine marmot as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Thorington, Richard W. Jr.; Koprowski, John L.; Steele, Michael A.; Whatton, James F. (2012). Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 282. ISBN 9781421408682.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Armitage, Kenneth B. (2007). "Evolution of Sociality in Marmots: It Begins with Hibernation". In Wolff, Jerry O.; Sherman, Paul W. (eds.). Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. University of Chicago Press. p. 358. ISBN 9780226905365.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Armitage, Kenneth B. (2007). "Evolution of Sociality in Marmots: It Begins with Hibernation". In Wolff, Jerry O.; Sherman, Paul W. (eds.). Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. University of Chicago Press. p. 363. ISBN 9780226905365.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Thorington, Richard W. Jr.; Koprowski, John L.; Steele, Michael A.; Whatton, James F. (2012). Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 283. ISBN 9781421408682.
  5. ↑ Armitage, Kenneth B. (2007). "Evolution of Sociality in Marmots: It Begins with Hibernation". In Wolff, Jerry O.; Sherman, Paul W. (eds.). Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. University of Chicago Press. p. 362. ISBN 9780226905365.
  6. ↑ Armitage, Kenneth B. (2007). "Evolution of Sociality in Marmots: It Begins with Hibernation". In Wolff, Jerry O.; Sherman, Paul W. (eds.). Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. University of Chicago Press. p. 357. ISBN 9780226905365.
  7. ↑ Armitage, Kenneth B. (2007). "Evolution of Sociality in Marmots: It Begins with Hibernation". In Wolff, Jerry O.; Sherman, Paul W. (eds.). Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. University of Chicago Press. p. 364. ISBN 9780226905365.
  8. ↑ Armitage, Kenneth B. (2007). "Evolution of Sociality in Marmots: It Begins with Hibernation". In Wolff, Jerry O.; Sherman, Paul W. (eds.). Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. University of Chicago Press. p. 361. ISBN 9780226905365.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Landeryou, J. (1999). "Marmota marmota". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan.
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