284 Marmota menzbieriM. m. menzbieri—western Tien Shan Mountains. This form
has two seasonal pelages: in autumn the coat is more
black on the dorsal surface; in summer the coat is more
brownish yellow on the dorsal surface. The ventral sur-
face is grayish brown; the throat, chest, and inner sur-
faces of the forelimbs are more rufous in color. There is
a yellowish gray patch extending from beneath the eye
to beneath the anterior edge of the ear.
M. m. zachidovi—northern Tien Shan Mountains, separated
by more than 100 km from M. m. menzbieri. We were un-
able to fi nd an available description.
conservation: IUCN status—vulnerable. Population
trend—decreasing.
habitat: Menzbier’s marmots are found in open high-ele-
vation alpine and subalpine meadows. They also tolerate
areas with open juniper (Juniperus) meadows.
natural history: This species is diurnal. Menzbier’s mar-
mots hibernate in social groups for seven to eight months
in burrows; mate in burrows, or soon upon exiting them;
and emerge for a short intensive season of foraging on forbs,
roots, rhizomes, grasses, fl owers, and bulbs. Burrows are
relatively complex, with an average of 3.5 entrances per bur-
row, and they extend 2–3 m belowground. A small litter (av-
eraging 2.5 young in the south, and 4–5 in the north) is pro-
duced. Some 2–year-olds in this species may be able to
breed. Natal dispersal is delayed, and social groups typically
consist of a monogamous pair (a single dominant adult male
and an adult female), 2–year-olds, 1–year-olds, and young-of-
the-year. M. menzbieri is a highly social species. Individuals
in the wild are known to live to be more than 10 years old.
Interactions among group members are highly amicable;
however, intruders are not welcome and are greeted with
displays, tooth chatters, and chases. They frequently scent-
mark territories with their oral glands. A single relatively
simple a la rm ca l l is produced in response to t hreat s or to t he
perception of predation risk. Raptors, wolves (Canis lupus),
and the dogs of herdsmen appear to be their principal preda-
tors. Their conservation is threatened by the rapid loss of
alpine and subalpine meadows, due to an intensive conver-
sion to agriculture; individuals may be forced to move sea-
sonally to avoid such infl uences.general references: Allaine 2000; Bibikow 1996;
Nikol’skii 2007b; Ognev 1963.Marmota monax (Linnaeus, 1758)
Woodchuck, Groundhogdescription: Woodchucks are relatively small North Amer-
ican marmots. Their tail is relatively short and cinnamon to
dark brown to black. The dorsum is grizzled gray to cinna-
mon to dark brown, often appearing frosted because of the
light-colored tips of the guard hairs. The venter is gray to tan
to rufous and dark brown. White to tan patches often sur-
round the nose and the apex of the lower jaw. The front legs
can be suff used with rufous to cinnamon. The feet are dark
brown to black.Marmota menzbieri. Photo courtesy Alexander Esipov.