The groundhog is an animal. Lifestyle and habitat of the marmot. Species: Marmota baibacina = Gray (Altai) marmot Gray marmot
Severe spring-summer droughts are common in boibak habitats. Significant burning of vegetation leads to a decrease in their numbers, which was noted by A. A. Silantyev (1894). According to his information, in the Saratov region, due to lack of food, due to drought in 1891, these animals went into hibernation poorly nourished. In the spring of 1892, they emerged from their holes very exhausted. That spring, the exhausted boibaks, even in danger, could not reach the hole, but lay down exhausted on the way to it. Many of them died from predators, and some probably died from exhaustion before leaving their burrows. Severe droughts apparently lead to a large decrease in marmot population density in Kazakhstan, since in the spring of 1958 we found weakened marmots pecked by birds, even after a slight burning of the vegetation in mid-summer 1957.
True, severe droughts are observed relatively rarely. In addition, bobbacks in Kazakhstan are relatively adapted to them. During the years of spring abundance of food, they become fat very quickly and can lie down as early as July (Shubin, 1963), avoiding drought, which often occurs at the end of summer. In years of early drought, they occur later, after the secondary vegetation of plants. In Kazakhstan bobak gives birth to cubs much earlier than in the European part of the USSR. They emerge from their burrows when food is abundant, accumulate fat faster, and survive minor droughts relatively well. However, in the early stages of reproduction, the cubs often die during lactation, since in some years the females are very exhausted due to the late development of plants. For example, in 1958 the snow began to melt late. Large thawed patches appeared only 10 days (April 15-16) after the bobaks came out. A long cold spell in the second half of April and the first ten days of May greatly delayed the growing season of plants. It rained and snowed often. Lack of food and cold, damp weather led to greater depletion of the animals (including lactating females); the number of marmot chicks in families was half that in the favorable year of 1957 (Tables 49, 50), although the intensity of reproduction in these years was almost the same. Even fewer marmots were observed in 1959, and not only in the south of the Tselinograd region, but also in the Ruzaevsky district of the Kokchetav region. If in 1957 in June and later they made up over 70% of all marmots, then in 1959 - only 21-24%. The average number of income earners in families changed accordingly. According to M.I. Ismagilov (oral communication), in the spring of 1959 the feeding conditions for bobak were poor.
Especially many marmots died in 1956 in the Ruzaevsky district of the Kokchetav region in July and August. That year, according to hunter I.D. Martin (oral communication), bobcats were not encountered at all. Judging by the age composition of the population, there were very few of them further south. Comparing the weight of marmots caught in April (Fig. 68), we see that in 1957 there were almost no one-year-old animals, and in 1958 there were almost 50%. This is also indicated by the age composition of the population. In 1957 in the Tselinograd region near the village. Ladyzhenka yearlings produced only 0.8%, and in 1958, south of the lake. Shoindykul two-year-olds caught 4.5%. In 1957, there were 27.17% of two-year-olds; therefore, in 1955 there were almost 6 times more income-bearing children than in 1956.
In 1956, spring in Northern Kazakhstan turned out to be very long and cold. In the North Kazakhstan region, snow fell even in early May. Bad weather conditions probably caused high mortality among boibak cubs.
The drought of the previous year apparently has a lesser effect on the death of young animals. Thus, in 1958 there were quite a lot of arrived individuals, as already mentioned above, despite the relatively dry previous year of 1957.
Thus, climatic conditions greatly influence the number of bobak, but most of all it is reduced by human activity. The range of the steppe marmot in Europe in the 18th–19th centuries. was significantly reduced as a result of the plowing of the steppes and persecution by humans. Due to the excessive fishing of bobak at the end of the last - beginning of the current century, its reserves were severely undermined in Kazakhstan. According to Ya. Ya. Polferov (1896), in the 19th century. this the beast was very numerous. According to I.V. Turkin and K.A. Satunin (1900), only at the Irbit and Nizhny Novgorod fairs from 1880 to 1895 annually
On mountain groups (Ulken-Burkitt and Vakhty, and, possibly, on a number of others), which are almost not isolated from the main part of the gray marmot's range, but are located only on its outskirts, it lives M. baibacina baibacina with some signs of the boibak (relatively more massive skull, less long hair, weaker development of the dark ends of the guard hairs), but they quickly disappear as they move away from the border of the range to the south - into its depths.
All this is the presence of boibaks in the mountains of the Kazakh Highlands (Ermentau, Zheltau, Kuu, etc.), the presence of some features of the gray marmot in them, the presence of small isolated populations of “hybrid” marmots in the territory between the ranges of the boibak and the gray marmot, as well as the manifestation of some The signs of boibak in the gray marmot at the northern border of its range are the result of a single process. It consists in the fact that with the pulsation of the boundaries of the ranges of marmots of these two species, there was a relatively long and, probably, repeated contact between them, accompanied by one or another (different in different places) degree of hybridization with a general tendency of reduction of the range of the gray marmot, fragmentation and retreat to southeast, the settlement of boibak in the same direction, and the absorption of small isolated residual populations of the gray marmot by it (Kapitonov, 1966a).
What specific characteristics differ between the bobak and the gray marmot from the Kazakh Highlands? In literature this the issue is not sufficiently covered, since all the authors took the gray marmot as a whole and therefore some of the characteristics characteristic of this animal in the Tien Shan and Altai are weakly expressed or absent in the Kazakh Highlands. Therefore, we compare the plain bobak (M. bobac schaganensis) from Central Kazakhstan and gray marmot (M. baibacina baibacina) from the Kazakh Highlands.
The gray marmot has a more elongated, less massive muzzle, and the upper line of the head in profile is noticeably flattened, on average larger and rounded auricles, less overgrown with hair, longer (as a percentage of body length) vibrissae, a less developed connective tissue layer of skin on the distal parts of the nose, the eyes are larger, on average, relative to the body length, a longer tail (25.5 in males and 24.5% U females of the gray marmot and, respectively, 21.3 and 18.3% for the bobak). The hair of the gray marmot is more luxuriant and higher than that of the bobak. So, in 10 copies. baybakov from the river basin Tersakkan and 10 copies. gray marmot from the Temirshi, Koshubai and Chingiztau mountains average fur height (in mm) on the side of the middle part of the body there was: the highest guard hair height was 31.6 in boibak and 42.0 in gray, the average guard hair height was 24.2 and 34.8, respectively, the average down height was 16.4 and 22.9. Moreover, the extreme values of these indicators did not transgress.
Quite clear differences are also noted in the color of molted animals, while the old (spring-summer) hair coat is much less distinguishable. This is caused not only by the fading and breaking off of the ends of the guard hairs, but also by the fact that during the rutting period in the spring, boibak males, according to our observations, often pour urine on their belly, chest, throat and muzzle, which is why these parts of the body acquire a dark buffy color (especially the sides of the muzzle). -brown color, characteristic of the gray marmot at this time of year. After molting it disappears. Under the influence of urine, the fur also darkens in the genital area (including in females), which is also observed in other species of marmots, sometimes even in marmots. The differences in the color of the gray marmot and the bobak at the end of the molt are mainly in the more buffy-reddish (sometimes buffy-blackish) coloring of the lower surface of the body in the first and in the greater darkening of its head, back and sides. The latter is due to the greater height of the dark (main and distal) fur zones of the gray marmot. When measured on the skins mentioned above, the average height of the main and distal (color depends on the latter) dark zones was: for bobak 6.6 and 6.0, and for gray 9.6 and 11.6, respectively mm. The extreme values of these indicators did not transgress.
The skull of the gray marmot (Fig. 71) differs from that of the boibach (Fig. 60) by open eye-orbital notches (in boibaks, including mountain ones, they are semi-closed), a slightly concave frontal platform (this is also typical of some mountain boibaks), slightly curved downwards supraorbital processes thin at the base and slightly running towards the end. The nasal bones of the gray marmot are relatively wider in front, tapering evenly and by 4-8 mm protrude beyond the nasal processes of the premaxillary bones. In the boibak, the outer lines of the nasal bones in the posterior half are almost parallel to each other and barely protrude beyond the nasal processes of the premaxillary bones.
The gray marmot is also distinguished by a large, usually elongated, pre-wing opening and a 1.5-2 times smaller lacrimal opening (in the bobak, on the contrary), a rounded ventral edge lower jaw in a section along a perpendicular restored to its inner upper edge against the fourth molar (in boibak the edge is sharp), a more developed anterior upper tubercle (compared to the lower one) on the masseteric area of the lower jaw (in boibak, on the contrary) and its articular process more bent inwards . In addition, the gray marmot differs from the bobak in the poorly developed superior-posterior processes of the pterygoid processes, which almost never close with the anterior-internal processes of the auditory drums. And in a bobak they, as a rule, close together (if not broken off).
The gray marmot also differs from the bobak in the structure of the auditory ossicles (Ognev, 1947) and baculum (Kapitonov, 1966a), an elongated scapula and its more (absolutely and relatively) long caracoid process. Thus, the ratio of its length to the largest lateral diameter of the articular surface of the scapula in the plain boibak is 0.84-1.08, on average 1.00, in the mountain bobak - 0.80-1.06, on average 0.90, and in the gray marmot - 1.08-1.31, average 1.24. The extreme upper point of the gray marmot's thigh is formed by the surface of its head, and in the bobak - the dorsal edge of the large swivel.
The tibia of the gray marmot of the Kazakh Highlands is characterized by the absence or weak development of a notch on the articular surface of the distal epiphysis, which is well developed in the boibak (Kapitonov, 1966a).
The caudal spine of the gray marmot has 21-23 vertebrae, while the bobak has 19-20. Thus, the gray marmot from the Kazakh highlands (M. b. baibacina) good and in many ways different from boibak (M. b. schaganensis). Therefore, despite the presence transitional forms Between them, bobak and gray marmot should be considered independent species.
Subspecies differentiation of the gray marmot has not been sufficiently studied. Of the four described subspecies: Altai (M. b. baibacina Kastsch.) (Kashchenko, 1899), Tien Shan (M. b. centralis Thomas) (Thomas, 1909), Ogneva (M. b. ognevi Scalon) (Skaloy, 1950) and Kashchenko (M. b. kastschenkoi Stroganov et Judin) (Stroganov and Yudin, 1956) only the first two are common in Kazakhstan.
Altaic gray marmot — M. b. baibacina(Fig. 69, 70) is characterized by a very dark coloration of the upper body, with the head being darker than the back, and the transition between them is gradual. The dark brown coloration of the cheeks usually also affects the vibrissae area. The belly is not bright, but yellowish-rusty with an admixture of brown tones. Distribution: Altai, Saur, Tarbagatai, Kazakh Highlands, Chingiztau.
Most authors (Ognev, 1947; Gromov, 1952, 1963, 1965; Galkina, 1962) quite rightly classify the gray marmot from the Kazakh Highlands as a subspecies M. b. baibacina. However, there are some differences between the animals of the Kazakh Highlands (mountains Temirshi, Koshubai, Kent, Chingiztau - 58 specimens) from the “Altai” (Tarbagatai, Saur and Altai - 67 specimens). They are as follows:
1) In marmots from the Kazakh highlands, the chest and belly are duller, the red color in many individuals is largely replaced by yellow-ocher, often with a blackish tint; The spines of the back are darker;
2) in “Altai” marmots, the abdominal rusty-ocher stripe is narrower, it is more clearly and sharply separated from the usually lighter (especially in the anterior half of the body) sides. In individuals from the Kazakh Highlands, this stripe is wider, more blurred and less clearly demarcated from the darker sides than in the “Altai” individuals. Moreover, the brown or almost black mottled sides of specimens from the highlands descend lower and sometimes merge with the ocher belly;
3) the white spot on the lower lip of the “Altai” marmots is lighter and closer to pure white than in specimens from the highlands. The whitish border of the nasal planum in the former is lighter and more distinct than in the latter;
4) in the “Altai” marmot the difference between the head and back, which is dark on top, is greater (the head is darker) than in individuals from the highlands, although the transition in both is gradual;
5) in “Altai” animals, the upper dark zone of fur on the center of the back is on average lower (11 mm), than in individuals from the highlands (13 mm), and the lower one is dark on the contrary (12.6 - in Altai and 10.7 mm- in the highlands). The overall height of the hairline (middle of the back) in individuals from Altai is noticeably somewhat lower than in highlands, which is also noted by N. Berger (1936). It also indicates less hair density (1944 hairs per 1 cm2) and shorter downy hair in the marmot from the Kazakh Highlands (Semipalatinsk region) compared to those of animals from Altai (2056 hairs per 1 cm2), but these data on fur density in both cases are somewhat underestimated. No significant differences were found in the structure of the skull, auditory ossicles and baculum (10 specimens from the Kazakh Highlands, 10 from Tarbagatai, 20 from the Ukok Plateau in Altai and three from Saura were examined).
Gray marmot ( Altai marmot) is similar to boibak and tarbagan (body length up to 65 cm, tail up to 13 cm), but the wool is longer and softer than theirs. The top of the head is dark.
The main color is sandy-yellow on the dorsal side with a strong admixture of black or black-brown, since the dark ends of the awns are longer than those of the bobak and tarbagan. The lower surface is darker and redder than the sides; The buffy-reddish color often extends to the lower part of the cheeks. The dark coloration of the top of the head is well developed, but is usually not separated from the coloration of the upper surface of the neck and the front of the back; the exception is some individuals in faded early spring fur.
The area under the eyes and on the cheeks (except for the lower and posterior parts of the latter) is heavily mottled with black and brown hair ends. The area where the vibrissae are attached has the same color; if it is light, then it is separated by brownish ripples from the light, reddish color of the lower part of the cheeks. The coloring of the ears and the edging of the lips are like those of a bobak. The tail is dark below, colored above similar to the back.
The zygomatic arches are widely spaced and extend backward only slightly less than those of the bobak. The postorbital tubercle is more pronounced than in other species; the swelling in the anterosuperior corner of the orbit and the supraorbital foramina are relatively poorly developed. The upper edges of the orbits are slightly raised, and the ends of the supraorbital processes are relatively slightly descended. The lacrimal bone is large, close to square in shape; its greatest height above the lacrimal opening is equal to or slightly less than the smallest distance between the lacrimal and prealacrimal; both of them, especially the second one, are larger than those of the bobak. The posterior edge of the lacrimal bone along its entire length forms a suture with the anterior edge of the orbital processes of the maxillary bones. The latter, like those of the tarbagan, are somewhat reduced, usually do not have a separate triangular or rectangular outgrowth in the anterior section, and if there is one, it only slightly rises above the upper edge of the lacrimal bone. The anterior upper premolar (P3) in relative size occupies an intermediate position between that of the boibak and tarbagan; the trace of the fusion of the posterior roots of the lower anterior root (P4) is clearly visible, and in approximately 10% of individuals the root below is forked.
Fossil remains of gray marmots of Quaternary age are known from Altai caves.
Spreading. Mountainous regions of Kazakhstan and northern Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia (Mongolian Altai east approximately to the Kobdo meridian), Northwestern China(Chinese Tien Shan, northern Tibet). In the USSR, it inhabits Altai east to the southern tip of Lake Teletskoye, the Chulymshansky ridge, lake. Kyndyktykol and r. Burhei-Murei in the west of the Tuva Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic; Western Sayan (isolated area of the range). A distribution area isolated from the main part of the Altai range is found in the Tomsk and Kemerovo regions (up to 56° N in the north and 85° E in the east), as well as in the vicinity of Novosibirsk (the villages of Kayenskoye, Eltsovka, etc.). To the south - to state border and ridges of southern Altai (Naryn, Kurchum). Inhabits Saur, Tarbagatai, Chingiztau, Kazakh small hills north of Balkhash, Dzungarian (except for the southwestern ridges), Trans-Ili and Kyrgyz Alatau, as well as the ridges of the central Tien Shan. The western border here runs along the northern slopes of the Dzhumgoltau ridge, the Sonkul Highlands, the eastern slopes of the Fergana ridge, and the valley of the river. Arpa and Jamantau ridge; to the east and southeast from here it extends to the state border. Acclimatized in the Gunibsky region of Mountainous Dagestan, at an altitude of 1500-1800 m above sea level. m.
Habitats range from dry slopes of logs and river valleys of the West Siberian forest-steppe and low steppe uplands of the Kazakh Highlands to the highlands inclusive: the alpine belt and cold desert of the central Tien Shan and the alpine xerophytic tundra of Altai. The highest population density of marmots currently occurs (obviously, not without human influence) in alpine meadows, and the lowest in the desert highlands. Apparently, the conditions of the mountain steppe should be considered optimal; in those places where the colonies are difficult for humans to reach, even now the Altai marmot reaches significant numbers (central Tien Shan). In mountains with a developed forest belt, it settles in clearings, at its upper border and among the alpine bushes bordering it. To the east and south of Tomsk it lives along the forest-steppe slopes of ravines and river valleys with sparse tree vegetation, avoiding meadow areas.
Seasonal and daily activity, as with other mountain species, significantly depends on the altitude of the area above sea level, slope exposure and weather conditions. The periods of hibernation and awakening can vary greatly (by 20 or more days) depending on the slope exposure, even in the same gorge. In places where marmots are pursued or disturbed by humans, their usual two-phase (morning and evening) activity is sharply disrupted, to the point of adapting to feeding at night.
The general patchwork of living conditions in the mountains is also associated with the uneven distribution of settlements of this species. Here, the presence of a layer of fine earth sufficient for digging wintering burrows is of paramount importance. In conditions of highly rugged alpine relief, its thickest layer accumulates in the area of alluvial fans in the mouth parts of gorges, as well as on the lower parts of their slopes and the slopes of glacial cirques, which turn out to be the most populated. On the other hand, the presence or absence of colonies also depends on the distribution of snow cover. Near the melting snow patches, the animals find fresh and juicy food throughout the active season, eating plants that are in the initial stages of the growing season. At the same time, marmots often hibernate on slopes, where snow cover sets in early and melts late. In this case, the awakening animals not only have to break through a 1.5-2 meter layer of snow, but after awakening they move from here to summer and temporary burrows located near cesspools, already devoid of snow and covered with green grass. In foothill and low-mountain areas, resettlement is also determined by the progress of vegetation burning.
Compared to the burrows of plains marmots, the permanent burrows of the gray, especially wintering ones, are distinguished by significant complexity, but in general they are somewhat simpler than those of the red marmot. In addition, as in other mountain species, the earthen mound at the entrance - "butane" - is usually weakly expressed: the thrown out earth is easily carried down the slope. Often at the entrance there is a small trampled area on which the animal emerging from the hole is placed. “Observation points” are often located on stones or rocks adjacent to the hole. For the winter, the gray marmot clogs with earthen plugs not the entrance holes of the burrow, but the passages leading to the nest at a distance of 1.5-2 m from the nest. There are two or even three nesting chambers in one wintering hole, but their volume is less than that of plain forms.
The gray marmot, apparently, has a more pronounced need for feeding on succulent plant foods than the lowland species: they eat mainly leaves, flowers and young shoots. The change of feed is determined mainly by the growing season of certain species in different parts feeding area. In early spring, marmots eat last year's plant debris and use up the remaining fat accumulated since the fall. A fairly constant consumption of animal feed (insects and shellfish) is indicated. They reproduce once a year. The rut occurs in the spring, after awakening, sometimes, apparently, even before leaving the burrows. The number of young for the Tien Shan is 5-6, for Altai 2-3.
In the mountainous regions of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan it is still of paramount importance commercial value. In Altai, as well as in the foothills of other parts of the range, it has been severely exterminated. Further acclimatization work in the Caucasus can be considered quite promising. The meat is edible, the fat is suitable for technical purposes, and local population It is also used for medicinal purposes. The gray marmot is a natural carrier of the plague pathogen, supporting the existence of its foci in the mountains of Central Asia.
Geographical variability and subspecies. The size of Altai marmots increases with the altitude of the area, as well as towards the south in mountainous regions. In the southeastern parts of the distribution area, black tones in the color of the top are more developed, replacing brownish ones.
Body length 50-65 cm, tail 12-22 cm.
The belly is brownish-red, the tail without a dark tip, the lips are light. Lives in the treeless mountains of Altai and Western Sayan, in the hilly steppes of Tomsk and Kemerovo region, in the vicinity of Novosibirsk, in the Salair Ridge. Introduced to the Gunib plateau in Dagestan, but practically exterminated there by local residents. Inhabits the slopes of hills, ravines, river terraces, and mountain slopes. Adheres to cereal-forb and wormwood steppes and meadows, edges of island forests, alpine meadows up to the mountain tundra belt. It is also found in rocks, among stone placers, along the outskirts of high-mountain swamps, up to an altitude of 4000 m above sea level. In the mountains it often settles on the northern slopes, in the foothills - on the southern and southwestern ones. Hibernation lasts from September to March-April, young ones appear on the surface in mid-June. In recent years, it has become rare almost everywhere, and in some places has disappeared completely. Hunting is prohibited.
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Encyclopedia of Russian nature. - M.: ABF. V.L. Dinets, E.V. Rothschild. 1998 . See what "Grey Marmot" is in other dictionaries:Gray marmot- ? Gray marmot Scientific ... Wikipedia gray marmot- pilkasis švilpikas statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Marmota baibacina vok. altaisches Murmeltier rus. Altai marmot; mountain Asian marmot; gray marmot ryšiai: platesnis terminas – švilpikai… Žinduolių pavadinimų žodynas Marmota bobac see also 11.3.4. Genus Marmot Marmota Stepnoy Marmot marmot bobac (Table 43) Body length 49-58 cm, tail 12-18 cm. The color is uniform, the top of the head is slightly darker. The end of the tail is dark, the lips are light. Previously lived in all steppes from ... Animals of Russia. Directory Marmota camtschatica see also 11.3.4. Genus Marmot Marmota Black-capped marmot Marmota camtschatica (Table 43) Body length 39 54 cm. The color is dark, the black cap extends to the back of the head, the belly is red, the lips are dark. Lives in the mountains of Yakutia,... ... Animals of Russia. Directory Marmota sibirica see also 11.3.4. Genus Marmot Marmota Mongolian marmot Marmota sibirica (a plague that sometimes infects hunters when cutting up carcasses. Local name tarbagan. Table 43 Table 43 211 steppe marmot (211a in spring, 211b... ... Animals of Russia. Directory |
Species: Marmota baibacina Kastschenko, 1899 = Gray (Altai) marmot
Species: Marmota baibacina Kastschenko, 1899 = Gray (Altai) marmot.
Body length up to 650 mm, tail - up to 130 mm (on average, about 27% of body length). By appearance similar to boibak and tarbagan. The fur is longer and softer than theirs. The main color is sandy-yellow on the dorsal side with a strong admixture of black or black-brown, since the dark ends of the awns are longer than those of these species. The lower surface is darker and redder than the sides; The buffy-reddish color often extends to the lower part of the cheeks. The dark coloration of the top of the head is well defined, but is usually not separated from the coloration of the upper surface of the neck and the front of the back; the exception is some individuals in faded early spring fur. The area under the eyes and on the cheeks (except for the lower and posterior parts of the latter) is heavily mottled with black and brown hair ends. The area of the labial vibrissae has the same color; if it is light, then it is separated by an area with brownish ripples from the light reddish color of the lower part of the cheeks. The coloring of the ears and the edging of the lips are similar to those of the bobak. The tail is dark below, colored above similar to the back. In the karyotype 2n = 38. 
The zygomatic arches are widely spaced and diverge backwards only slightly less than in the bobak. The postorbital tubercles are more pronounced than in other species; the swelling in the anterosuperior corner of the orbit and the open supraorbital foramina are poorly developed. The upper edges of the orbits are slightly raised, and the ends of the supraorbital processes, unlike those of the boibak, are thinner and directed more to the sides than down. The lacrimal bone is large, close to square in shape; its greatest height above the lacrimal opening is equal to or slightly less than the smallest distance between the lacrimal and prealacrimal. Both of them (especially the second one) are larger than those of the bobak. The posterior edge of the lacrimal bone along its entire length forms a suture with the anterior edge of the orbital wings of the maxillary bones (see Fig. 60, 3). The latter, large, like those of the tarbagan, are somewhat reduced, usually do not have a separate triangular or rectangular outgrowth in the anterior section, and if there is one, it rises only slightly above the upper edge of the lacrimal bone. The anterior superior premolar (P3) occupies an intermediate position in relative size between those of the boibak and tarbagan; the trace of the fusion of the posterior roots of the lower premolar (P4) is clearly visible, and in approximately 10% of individuals the root is bifurcated from below. 
Characteristics that make it possible to distinguish between animals from populations transitional between the gray marmot and boibak are indicated in the description of the latter.
Fossil remains of Pleistocene age are known from the Priob Plateau, from the foothills of the Kuznetsk Alatau, and later ones from the Altai caves.
Spreading.
From the alpine meadows and syrts of the Tien Shan, South. and South-West. Altai north to the Center and East steppes. Kazakhstan and the forest-steppe of the West. Siberia. In the east, the range covers the Kazakh small hills (about the border with the boibak, see above, p. 140), the Akchatau, Chingiztau, Tarbagatai, Saur and Kalbinsky Altai ridges, including the. Sementau. In Altai itself - to the southern ends of Lake Teletskoye, Naryn and Kuchumsky ridges. Isolated in the West. Sayan, Tomsk and Kemerovo regions, as well as in the environs. Novosibirsk. These modern isolates represent parts of a former vast continuous area of the species' range in Central (Yenisei) Siberia, the degradation of which occurred most intensively during the second half of the Holocene. In the south of the ridge. Kokshaltau in the southern Tien Shan to the ridges of southern Altai; along its entire length it crosses the border with China, as well as the western part of Mongolia, approximately to the longitude of Kobdo. The range touches and partly overlaps the range of the tarbagan, but in the latter case there is a landscape-biotopic separation of both species. In the territory former USSR this was noted in the southwestern part of the Tuva Basin, in the area of \u200b\u200bLake. Kendyktykul, in the upper reaches of the Chulyshman, Bolshoy and Maly Aksug rivers (tributaries of the Alesh River), as well as along the middle reaches of the river. Shuya (tributary of the Barlyk river). In Mongolia, an area of overlapping ranges is known on the southeastern slope of the central part of the Mongolian Altai. Here, along the spurs of this ridge, in the upper reaches of the river. Buyant and in the area of the left tributaries of the river. Bulgan-gol there are also hybrid individuals known among Mongolian hunters under the name “yellow marmot”. On the southwestern border of its range, on the Fergana Range, the gray marmot lives adjacent to the red one, including in the bass. R. Arpa, at the junction with the ridge. Jamantau. Hybrid individuals were noted on the western slope of the first of them (the upper reaches of the Alayku River). An attempt to acclimatize gray marmots in the Gunib region of Dagestan was unsuccessful, and in recent years there has been no information about surviving animals.
Lifestyle and meaning for a person.
From the West Siberian forest and meadow steppe along the slopes of ravines and river terraces, low steppe uplands of the Kazakh Highlands, to the highlands, including the Alpine belt, the cold Center desert. Tien Shan at altitudes up to 4000 m above sea level. m. and alpine xerophytic tundra of Altai. In recent decades, due to the general degradation of glaciers and the steppeification of vacated areas, marmots have been moving into the highlands (Central Tien Shan). Less significant altitudinal variations in distribution are also known for short climate cycles. The highest population density (up to several hundred animals per 1 km2) occurs in the alpine highlands, the lowest in the cold desert region of the latter. Apparently, the conditions of the mountain steppe should be considered optimal, where in places inaccessible to humans they still reach significant numbers. In mountains with a pronounced forest belt, it settles in clearings along its upper border and among the bushes bordering it. In the Tomsk forest-steppe it definitely avoids meadow areas, settling on steppe areas.
Seasonal and daily activity, like that of other mountain species, significantly depends on the altitude of the area, slope exposure and weather conditions. The timing of hibernation and awakening can even differ in one area of the range by 20 days. and more depending on the slope exposure. In places where animals are pursued or disturbed by people (for example, when grazing), their usual two-phase activity - morning and evening - is sharply disrupted until they switch to feeding at night. The general mosaic of living conditions in the mountains is also associated with the uneven distribution of settlements. Like other mountain marmots, there are diffuse, band (along river beds and valleys) and focal types. The latter is common in high mountains, where conditions favorable for living are found in individual, usually small, areas. In turn, within these three types of settlements, a distinction is made between their constituent stable (favorable) and unstable family plots. Of primary importance for the formation of settlements is the presence of a layer of fine earth, thick enough for digging wintering burrows. In conditions of highly dissected alpine relief, it most often accumulates in the area of alluvial fans and mouth parts of gorges, as well as in the lower parts of their slopes and the slopes of glacial cirques, which turn out to be the most populated. However, the animals avoid the valley pebble fields everywhere. On the other hand, the presence or absence of a colony depends on the depth of permafrost (in the Tien Shan - everywhere above 3300 m), as well as on the characteristics of the distribution of snow cover. Near the melting snow patches, the animals find fresh and juicy food throughout the entire active season, eating plants or parts thereof that are in the initial stages of the growing season. At the same time, marmots often hibernate on slopes, where snow cover sets in early and melts late. In this case, the awakening animals not only have to break through a 1.5-2-meter layer of snow, but also, after awakening, move into summer or temporary burrows located near warming areas, already devoid of snow and covered with green grass. In foothill and low-mountain areas, food migrations are also determined by the progress of vegetation burning.
Compared to the burrows of lowland marmots, permanent burrows (especially wintering ones) are significantly more complex, but, in general, they are somewhat simpler than those of the mountain long-tailed marmot. In addition, as with other mountain species, the earthen mound at the entrance - "butane" is usually weakly expressed; the thrown soil is easily carried down the slope. Often at the entrance there is a small trampled area on which the animal emerging from the hole is placed. “Observation points” are often located on stones and rocks adjacent to the hole. For the winter, the gray marmot clogs with earthen “plugs” not the entrance holes of the burrow, but the passages leading to the nest at a distance of 1.5-2 m from the latter. There are up to three nesting chambers in one wintering hole, but their volume is less than that of lowland forms. Family plots are usually small, on average 0.5 hectares (Dzungarian Alatau, 2900 m above sea level).
The gray marmot, apparently, has a more pronounced need for feeding on succulent plant foods than the lowland species: they eat mainly leaves, flowers and young shoots. The change of feed is determined mainly by the growing season of certain species in different parts of the feeding area. In early spring, marmots eat last year's grass and use up the remaining fat accumulated since the fall. Animal food is eaten constantly, but, with the exception of the dry period in the lowlands, only in small quantities. Like other species, it produces 1 brood per year. The rut occurs in the spring after awakening; in the highlands, apparently, even before leaving the burrows. The number of young in the litter for the Tien Shan is 5-6, for Altai - 2-4. Sexual maturity in most individuals occurs in the third year of life, and may be inversely related to the duration of the active period. The mortality rate of young animals is high and can reach 70%.
In the mountainous regions of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan it retains commercial importance, but is severely exterminated everywhere, especially in the foothills. In Karaganda region. and in Kyrgyzstan, in a number of cases, local reacclimatization has already been carried out, as well as resettlement from plowing areas to virgin lands, which turned out to be very effective. The meat is edible, the fat is suitable for technical purposes and is widely used in folk medicine. A natural carrier of the plague pathogen, supporting the existence of its foci in the Srednaya mountains. Asia, Altai and Tuva.
Geographical variability and subspecies.
The size increases with the altitude of the area, and in mountainous areas, apparently, also to the east. In the southeastern parts of the range, black tones in the color of the upperparts are more developed, replacing brownish ones.
Forms at least 5 poorly differentiated subspecies, 1 of which is outside the territory under consideration. At the same time, a number of characteristics that characterize them collectively repeat the specific characteristics of some plains marmots of the North. Eurasia.
1. M. b. baibacina Kastschenko, 1899. Top surface and cheeks are dark brown, including the area of the labial whiskers. Distribution: Altai, Saur, Tarbagatai, Kazakh small hills. Marmots of this latter are sometimes classified as an independent subspecies - M. b. aphanasievi Kuznetsov, 1965.
2. M. b. kastschenkoi Stroganov et Yudin, 1956. Close to the previous one, but somewhat smaller and lighter in color. Distribution: foothill steppe of Tomsk, Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions. and Altai region
3. M. b. ognevi Skalon, 1950. In terms of size and color intensity, it occupies an intermediate position between both previous subspecies. Distribution: highlands of western Altai.
4. M. b. centralis Thomas, 1909. The color of the upperparts is black, only in early spring specimens with a faint brownish tint. The area of the labial vibrissae is light, sometimes with only a slight reddish tint. Distribution: Tien Shan. The marmots of the Dzungarian Alatau may belong to a new, as yet undescribed form.
Marmots are the most interesting burrow inhabitants, with their own way of life, food priorities, habits and behavior. Their migration, contrary to the general trend, was from America to Asia, and not vice versa, like many other representatives of the fauna. Now marmots can be found almost in Tibet itself.
Description of marmots
Externally, marmots look like squat, densely built animals.. They have light lips and a dark tail tip. They reach a length of 49 to 58 centimeters (representatives of the steppe variety). They have a uniform color of fur, except for the head, top part which is a little darker than everything else. The color is predominantly yellowish-sandy with black ripples on the back. The tail is from 12 to 22 centimeters in length. Ears and paws are short. Marmots are the most active rodents. They hibernate during the winter.
Types of marmots
There are over 15 known species of marmots that live in Russia. The most common of them:
- black-capped marmot (or Kamchatka) - Marmota camtschatica, tail up to 13 centimeters long, body up to 45 centimeters;
- Menzbier's marmot - Marmota menzbieri, tail up to 12 centimeters long, body up to 47 centimeters;
- Tarbagan (or Mongolian) marmot – Marmota sibirica, tail up to 10 centimeters long, body up to 56 centimeters;
- gray marmot (or Altai) – Marmota baibacina, body up to 65 centimeters long;
- bobak (or steppe) marmot – Marmota bobak, body up to 58 centimeters long;
- long-tailed marmot (or red) - Marmota caudata, tail up to 22 centimeters long, body up to 57 centimeters.
The steppe marmot has two subspecies - the European marmot and the Kazakh marmot, while the black-capped marmot has three - the Kamchatka marmot, the Yakut marmot and the Barguzin marmot.
Marmot habitats
The distribution range of marmots covers the mountainous, highland and lowland zones of Eurasia and, what is most interesting, the groundhog came from America to Asia, and not vice versa, like other representatives of the animal world. Today they live on large territory, starting from Ukraine and ending with Central Asia. Most often they can be found in Russia, the Himalayas, the Pamirs, Brazil, the Tien Shan, Europe (Central and Western), Asia and, as some believe, even in Tibet. In Russia, marmots are most common in Lake Baikal, Kamchatka, the Southern Urals and the Urals, in the Irtysh zone, in the Middle Volga region and on the Don.
Where do marmots live?
As the main habitats, marmots choose those areas that are most suitable for them, depending on their variety:
- lowland (which includes, for example, steppe marmots) prefer wet virgin steppes, meadows where there is no first-time livestock grazing and there is a thick loose soil layer of at least 1 m;
- alpine ones (represented, for example, by long-tailed marmots) inhabit the crevices between boulders.
But anyway marmots' homes are deep burrows. Each individual marmot family occupies its own home, despite the fact that they are colonial animals. Sometimes for each family there is not one, but several groups of burrows: in some they feed, in others they live, in others they winter and nurse their young.
A marmot's burrow usually goes up to four meters deep and is equipped with several entrances/exits for increased security. Often their number reaches ten. However, it is quite simple to determine the central entrance to the marmot’s home, taking as a landmark an earthen hill located in its immediate vicinity. Due to the fact that the soil on marmots is a little different, there is even a certain climate there: soils enriched with minerals and nitrogen give rise to high growths of cruciferous plants, cereals and wormwood near the burrows, which are used by marmots as personal “vegetable gardens”.
But in addition to the main habitats where marmots spend most During their lives, these animals also have so-called “shelter holes”, which are smaller in size (they reach only a meter or two). There they hide in case of danger.
What do marmots eat?
Marmots are vegetarians, so their diet is based on herbs.: cereals (including grains and seeds), soft and succulent plant foods (tops of stems, leaves), plant bulbs, inflorescences, fruits (including unripe ones). Marmots are not indifferent to nuts, apples, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, wheat and rye grains - especially in the stage of waxy and milky ripeness, fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, plantain, fireweed, dandelion. However, marmots can eat not only fresh grass, but also dry grass (in the form of hay). But, contrary to the prevailing stereotype, they do not stock up for the winter.
Habits of marmots
The basic unit of the marmot population is the family. Usually it consists of closely related representatives and individuals that winter together (fingerlings are no exception). Each marmot family has its own area and is part of a large colony. Depending on the habitat zone, the family territory of marmots can reach 4.5 hectares, ranging from 0.5-4.5 hectares.
Specifically in the area, the home of marmots can be easily recognized by individual burrows with a numerous number of passages or by a cluster of burrows with large butanes. All marmot holes have their own purpose. Thus, nesting, inhabited, dining and even latrine burrows are distinguished. Inhabited ones are distinguished by the presence of well-rolled passages and areas in front of the entrances. Latrines are located in recesses on the surface of the colonies and serve to collect garbage and droppings pulled out by the animals after cleaning their homes.
Lowland varieties of marmots are characterized by focal-mosaic settlements, while high-mountain (hilly) varieties are characterized by focal-ribbon settlements. The density and number of families in each zone is its own - based on the capacity of a particular habitat, that is, the ability of marmots to lead a normal life and activity, which includes rest, reproduction, nutrition, safety, which do not negatively affect the quantity and quality of natural land parameters.
Marmots also prefer the presence of a two- to five-meter layer of fine-earth soil. They need it to dig deep nesting and protective holes that would not be flooded by groundwater in the spring and would not freeze in the winter. winter time. In general, marmots like to use the same dwellings for a very long period, which is why marmots appear over them over time - high hills, reaching 1 meter.
Hibernation of marmots
Marmots spend the coldest time of the year hibernating., lasting several months: it covers part of autumn (September-October), all winter and the first month of spring. But young individuals emerge from their burrows even later – at the very beginning of summer. Before falling into deep sleep, marmots feed heavily, gaining weight and doubling their body weight in just three months. Hibernation is carried out in a hole with dense bedding, a ceiling height of up to 70 centimeters and a diameter of up to 1.5 meters. They usually nest in families, making groups of 12-15 animals. During the entire cold season, while marmots are hibernating, their burrows are closed with dense earthen “plugs” several meters thick.