Generally classified as small rodents, the marmots are a group of about 15 species that live in Asia, Europe, and North America. They are herbivores that eat plants and grasses. Most of them live in mountainous regions, but some are found in meadows and tundras. During the summer, they eat a lot and build up a large fat store. This helps them to survive the freezing temperatures of the winter. They hibernate during the colder months and then emerge in May.
They are characterized by a frosted appearance and white guard hairs. The feet are dark brown, and the underfur is cinnamon brown or buffy-yellow. Typically, they are solitary, but they live in groups of ten to twenty animals. They are known for their friendly dispositions. They can be aggressive towards strangers, though, and can become territorial. The male marmots defend their harem with Marmota aggression.
In order to stay warm during the coldest days, marmots huddle together in burrows. This is particularly true for the alpine marmot, which lives in a cold climate. Most mountain species bury their burrows in rocky slopes. These burrows are usually at least one meter deep. They also have several entrances. These tunnels are used as observation sites. When danger approaches, a sentinel marmot whistles sharply.
In the summer, the marmots eat a lot and build up fatty reserves to help them survive the harsh winter. They eat grasses, grubs, seeds, and nuts. Their diets are almost entirely vegetarian. The dietary preferences of these mammals vary widely, but they eat a wide variety of greens. Some of the plants they eat are toxic.
The female marmot gives birth to a litter of three to eight pups. The average gestation period is thirty days. The young are born with closed eyes and no fur. The mother nurses them for three weeks. The young are not allowed to leave the burrow until forty days of age. They are weaned at seven weeks of age. After they emerge from their burrows, the young are vulnerable to predators. They are vulnerable to eagles and coyotes, which can enter their burrows. The adult marmots use their heat to keep the juveniles warm.
In the winter, marmots hibernate underground for about nine months. They are considered to be an agrarian mammalian species, and compete with other mammalian grazers. Their dietary preference is low nutrient tundra vegetation. In the wild, the hoary marmot produces a litter every year. Depending on the number of young, the litter may number four to eleven.
These species are known for their social structure, which is similar to that of other rodents. Their colony is made up of a dominant female and a few juveniles. The female marmot is the only female in the colony to reproduce. The male marmots fight for the territory if another colony enters the burrow. They mark their territories by a scent. The males also chase other males to protect their harem. They mate within a few days of hibernation.