THE MARMOT 



(Arctomys marmotta) 



THE marmot of the Alps is the typical representative of a large assemblage 

 of burrowing rodents near akin to squirrels ; the head-quarters of the 

 group being in central Asia. By rights, of course, the name belongs 

 exclusively to the typical species, but as it has been extended to include all the 

 members of the group, the former is now distinguished as the Alpine marmot. 

 Marmotte, it appears, is the Savoyard name of this rodent, which in the Engadine is 

 designated marmotella, while its German designation is murmeltier. 



The typical marmot is confined to Europe, and mainly to the high ranges of 

 the Alps, Pyrenees, and Carpathians. In eastern Europe and western Asia it is 

 replaced by the bobac {Arctomys bobac) ; and in central Asia there are a number of 

 species, of which several are considerably larger and more brightly coloured than 

 the Alpine animal ; none is found to the south of the main range of the Himalaya, 

 and the group is represented elsewhere only by the so-called woodchuck {A. monax) 

 of North America, which attains a length of about 24 inches. 



The general colour and appearance of the Alpine marmot are well shown in 

 the Plate ; and it will suffice to direct attention to the shortness of the ears as a 

 feature connected with burrowing habits. In one Himalayan species the tail is 

 considerably longer. In the Alps marmots dwell high up among bare rocks, above 

 the zone of vegetation, where not even goats venture, and where it frequently snows 

 for six weeks together in winter. In such desolate situations these hardy rodents 

 make their home in the little islands of rocks between the glaciers. Himalayan 

 marmots, on the other hand, live at an elevation where a considerable amount of 

 vegetable growth flourishes in summer ; their burrows being frequently excavated 

 beneath clumps of wild rhubarb. 



As summer resorts, Alpine marmots select situations with a southerly, 

 easterly, or westerly aspect on the mountain slopes, and here they construct their 

 summer dwellings, which are designed to afford them shelter in bad weather and to 

 serve as a refuge from danger. In autumn they dig deeper into the sides of the 

 mountains to construct their winter burrows and chambers, which have to afford 

 accommodation for the entire family, whose number generally ranges between 

 five and fifteen individuals. The burrow terminates in a large chamber, which is 

 filled with soft, short hay. As early as August these rodents begin to collect grass, 

 which is spread out on the hillsides to dry, and then carried into the burrows. 



The entrance to the burrow is only just wide enough to admit the owners, and 

 at the commencement of the winter-sleep is blocked with earth, stones, clay, grass, and 



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