Marmota kastschenkoi 281Marmota kastschenkoi (Stronganov and
Judin, 1956)
Forest Steppe Marmot
description: Forest steppe marmots are dark brown on
the dorsum; however, they may be slightly paler on the un-
derside, varying from a dark yellowish brown to tawny or
rufous. The snout is brown, sometimes with buff to tawny
patches around the nose and a white patch on the chin.
size: Both sexes—HB 495–640 mm; T 124–200 mm; Mass
3000–6300 g in spring, 4600–9000 g in autumn.
distribution: Apparently a relict population was found in
the forest steppe region south of Novosibirsk, Kemerovo,
and Tomsk in southwestern Siberia (Russia).
geographic variation: None.
conservation: IUCN status—not listed. Population
trend—no information. M. kastschenkoi is listed as declining
rapidly in the Red Books of Tomsk and Kuzbass (Russia).
habitat: Forest steppe marmots are found on slopes in
open forest steppes and meadows. They make use of aban-
doned buildings and cemeteries.
natural history: This species is diurnal. Forest steppe
marmots hibernate within burrows for seven to eight
months during the winter. Females produce a single litter of
about two young once each summer. Maturation is slow,
and it may not occur for three years. They form multibur-
row colonies with other individuals and typically persist in
family groups consisting of a dominant male, two to three
adult females, and four to eight immature individuals (from
newborn to 3 years old). The territories of family groups are
about 1 ha. Forest steppe marmots nest in burrows with
multiple openings; these burrows serve as winter hiber-
nacula. The animals also use less developed burrows on the
periphery of the colony for escape. Burrows typically are
found on hillsides and have a raised platform of soil that
facilitates vigilance. Dispersing males (3–year-olds) travel
great distances (up to 15 km/day) and they eventually often
settle on the periphery of a colony. Their alarm calls are
high-pitched short whistles. In areas of heavy human infl u-
ence, these marmots may shift to nocturnal foraging. Forest
steppe marmots forage primarily on young grasses, shoots,
and herbaceous material growing in open forest steppes and
valleys. M. kastschenkoi eats garden crops such as beans and
Marmota kastschenkoi. Photo courtesy Viktor Mashkov.