288 Marmota sibiricacream individuals reported. The venter, throat, front legs,
and hind fl anks are often white or pale cream. The feet can be
tan to rust to dark brown. The head often is brown to black
from the snout to behind the eyes. The tail increases in dark-
ness toward the tip, which is often dark brown to black.
size: Both sexes—HB 360–495 mm; T 112–121 mm; Mass
5000–8000 g.
distribution: This species is found in southwestern Sibe-
ria, Tuva, and Transbaikal (Russia); northern and western
Mongolia; and Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang (China).
geographic variation: Two subspecies are recognized.
M. s. sibirica—eastern portions of the range, in steppe and
grassland habitats. The dorsum in the fall is straw yellow
sprinkled with brown, and the venter is rust colored.
M. s. caliginosus—northern and western part of the range, in
rugged mountainous habitats. No description is available.
conservation: IUCN status—endangered. Population
trend—decreasing.
habitat: M. sibirica inhabits open steppes, semideserts,
forest-steppes, and grassy mountain slopes and valleys.
natural history: This species is diurnal. Tarbagan mar-
mots hibernate in burrows for extended winters of six to
seven months, emerging in April–May. These marmots hi-
bernate in large groups of up to 20 individuals. Mating be-
gins in March and April, after their arousal from hiberna-
tion. After a gestation of 40–42 days, litters ranging from
three to eight young emerge in June and remain with their
natal group for at least three years. First-year survivorship is
estimated at 70–80 percent, if females are not removed by
trapping and hunting. Tarbagan marmots live in large colo-
nies with many burrows; the burrows have conspicuous
circular mounds of soil that initially are bare, but eventually
are colonized by herbaceous vegetation. Family groups of
M. sibirica consist of a reproductive pair and their young
from previous litters, up to 3 years of age. Densities are of-
ten more than 1 marmot/ha and in protected areas can ap-
proach 7 marmots/ha. Tarbagan marmots of all ages forage
on grasses, a diversity of forbs, and a few woody plants.
Where M. sibirica overlaps with M. baibacina, Tarbagan mar-
mots are found more in valley bottoms, while the latter
(grey marmots) inhabit ridgetops and more alpine environ-
ments. Predators of Tarbagan marmots include wolves (Ca-
nis lupus), foxes, domestic dogs, bears, snow leopards (Pan-
thera [Uncia] uncia), and several large eagles and hawks.
These marmots have a relatively simple single alarm call.
M. sibirica is a keystone species in the steppe communities
that it inhabits, because the large colonies harbor high levels
of diversity and receive more attention by predators than
might otherwise be expected. Their low-density popula-
tions are often hunted for food, oil, and pelts at unsustain-
able rates; overgrazing and mining have contributed to lo-
calized declines. Recent restrictions on hunting seem to
have had a positive impact on Tarbagan marmots; however,
rangewide declines appear to be continuing. Furthermore,
sylvatic (bubonic) plague causes local extinctions, although
resistant populations are known.general references: Clark et al. 2006; Reading et al.
1998; Rogovin 1992; Townsend 2006; Townsend and Zahler
2006; Van Staalduinen and Werger 2007.Marmota vancouverensis (Swarth, 1911)
Vancouver Island Marmotdescription: Vancouver Island marmots have a dark brown
to sepia dorsum and venter. The color of old pelage fades to
tawny or olive brown. A white patch surrounds the snout and
the lower jaw. Flecks or small patches of white can also be
found on the forehead and the venter; sometimes white patches
are aggregated as a line along the midline of the venter.size: Female—HB 661 mm (n = 12); T 193 mm (n = 12).
Male—HB 695 mm (n = 6); T 220 mm (n = 6); Mass 3000 g
in May, 6500 g in September.Marmota sibirica. Photo courtesy Kevin Tierney, http://www.flickr
.com/photos/kevintierney/.