Squirrels of the World

Marmota caudata 277

from previous litters. They forage on a variety of grasses,
herbs, and moss. They maintain daily rhythms of activity,
even above the Arctic Circle under the constant daylight in
summer. Their home ranges are 10–15 ha in size. Mating oc-
curs before spring emergence, and litters of fi ve to six young
remain in their natal group for at least three years. Black-
capped marmots appear to increase the vegetation diversity
on the periphery of their home ranges, suggesting that they
may be a keystone species. Low-density populations of M.
camtschatica are often hunted for food and pelts at unsus-
tainable rates; overgrazing and mining have contributed to
localized declines.

general references: Nikolsky et al. 1991; Semenov, Ra-
mousse, and Le Berre 2000; Semenov, Ramousse, Le Berre,
and Tutukarov 2001; Semenov, Ramousse, Le Berre, Vas-
siliev, et al. 2001; Tokarsky and Valentsev 1994.

Marmota caudata (I. Geoff roy, 1844)

Long-Tailed Marmot

description: Long-tailed marmots have long coarse dorsal
fur that is golden orange suff used with black; a black dorsal
midline or saddle is often apparent. The venter is rusty or-
ange. The head typically has a dark brown to black cap that
extends from the snout to the back of the skull and includes
the eyes and the cheeks. The tail is relatively long and bushy,

with a solid black tip. Bare eye patches are larger on males

than on females.

size: Sex not stated—HB 500 mm; Mass 3000–5000 g.

Their weight peaks prior to their entrance into hiber-

nation.

distribution: Long-tailed marmots are found from the

western Tien Shan Mountains through the Pamirs (Kyrgyz-

stan, Tajikistan) to Hindu Kush (Afghanistan), Pakistan,

Kashmir (India), and the mountains of extreme western Ti-

bet and the Chinese province of Xinjiang.

geographic variation: Three subspecies are recognized.

M. c. caudata—Kashmir region. This form often has a very

dark brown to black dorsum.

M. c. aurea—Turkistan. This form is often called the golden

marmot, due to the brilliant yellow to orange venter

and the suff usion of this coloration over some of the

dorsum.

M. c. dichrous—Afghanistan region. This form is grayish,

grizzled on the sides of the neck and the shoulders. The

belly has more brown on it.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern (near threat-

ened). Population trend—no information.

habitat: Long-tailed marmots inhabit the high alpine fl ats

and meadows often associated with glacial and terminal

moraines; they may occur in alpine scrub with some dwarf

juniper (Juniperus). Their habitats often have very low levels

of plant productivity.

natural history: M. caudata is diurnal. Long-tailed mar-

mots hibernate for periods of seven to eight months in the

Marmota caudata. Photo courtesy Oleg Brandler.