Alpine marmots spend the majority of their lives underground in self-dug burrows especially during their seven month long hibernation. They have large paws with strong claws for digging. Using their front legs or teeth they loosen the soil and throw it behind them with their strong hind legs. Because their burrows are built over generations there are large mounds of earth in front of the entrances. Alpine marmots usually stay close to one of the numerous entrances in order to quickly escape from predators.
Category: Mammal
Size: head to barrel 38-50 cm, tail 4.5-7.5 cm
Age: 10 years
Sexually mature: within 3-8 month
gestation period: 28-34 days
food: leaves, flowers, a variety of herbs and grasses, including poisonous plants
habitat: forest-free areas at 800 to 3200m above sea level, alpine mats, rocky terrain
Danger: not endangered
distribution area
