Long-tailed marmot

The long-tailed marmot, also known as the golden marmot, is a fascinating rodent native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia. Belonging to the Sciuridae family, this species is categorized as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, indicating it is not currently at immediate risk of extinction. One of the most distinctive traits of this marmot is its relatively long tail compared to other marmot species.

Weighing up to 9 kg, the long-tailed marmot is quite a substantial rodent, with males typically larger than females. There are several subspecies, each exhibiting unique coloration and size characteristics. These marmots can be found in countries such as Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, and China. They favor open or lightly wooded areas in mountain ranges such as the Tian Shan, Pamir, and Himalayas.

Highly adaptable, these marmots inhabit altitudes ranging from 600 to 5,200 meters. They are more tolerant of dry conditions compared to their marmot relatives and can be found in diverse habitats, including alpine meadows, steppes, semi-deserts, and scrublands, although they avoid saline soils.

Long-tailed marmots are social creatures, living in monogamous groups with up to seven adults sharing a home range. They spend the colder months hibernating in burrows from September to April or May. The mating season begins in late April or early May, with a gestation period of approximately four and a half weeks. Typically, a litter consists of around four pups.

These marmots are diurnal, primarily feeding on plant material. They forage alone but communicate through alarm calls to warn each other of potential dangers. Predators include red foxes, grey wolves, golden eagles, and possibly bearded vultures. On the Tibetan plateau, snow leopards also prey on these marmots.