Alpine marmot

Marmota marmota

Family

Sciuridae

Distribution

Marmots are common throughout the Alps.

Habitat

Marmots live in grasslands with few or no trees, predominately between 1,800 and 2,200 metres above sea level.

Lifestyle

Marmots are the second-largest rodents in Switzerland after beavers. They live in family groups. After two years, the young move away to form colonies of their own. Marmots spend about 90 per cent of their lives underground and their burrows can extend to a depth of two metres. The burrows are equipped with numerous exits, which serve both as escape routes and ventilation holes. Marmots spend six to seven months hibernating. They line their burrows with hay and seal them off. Their stored fat pads and huddling together for warmth increase their chances of survival. Outside of their burrows, marmots are extremely attentive and warn each other about the proximity of predators using a wide repertoire of calls.

Reproduction

They mate in April or May when they awaken from their hibernation and give birth to between two and seven bald and blind young in June.

Diet

Their diet consists of roots, grasses and herbs. They lay down pads of fat during the summer months in order to have sufficient reserves of energy to see them through the winter and spring.

Senses

Marmots possess well-developed eyes and can detect movement over long distances.

The marmot in Langenberg

Since 1918. Marmots have built their burrow  in a mound of earth and stones. Their numbers fluctuate from year to year and are difficult to monitor. They are mainly fed carrots and hay.