Long-tailed Marmot

activity

Activity patterns. Long-tailed Marmots are diurnal. They are only aboveground for 4 - 5 months, emerging from burrows in late spring or early summer. Individuals often bask on rocks or at burrow entrances.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. High elevation, low productivity alpine flats and meadows, often associated with glacial and terminal moraines. Alpine scrub with some dwarfjuniper (Juniperus, Cupressaceae) is also selected.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Long-tailed Marmotis social and lives in large colonies often consisting of many monogamous pairs, but groups of seven adults plus their young and yearlings are also reported. Densities are typically less than 0 - 5 ind / ha. Home ranges are large and average 3 ha. Group members nest communally and most often are amicable. Both sexes scent-mark near their burrows using orbital glands; males are more responsive to novel scents than females. In some parts of the distribution, Long-tailed Marmots are hunted and trapped for food, pelts, and medicinal purposes; they are not considered pests, except where they are believed to compete with livestock for forage. The Long-tailed Marmot frequently is vigilant, standing on its haunches. Complex alarm calls warn conspecifics about relative risk of predation, and they use a variety of less apparent vocalizations in other social contexts.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The Long-tailed Marmotlives in complex burrows where young are born. Mating occurs about the time of spring emergence, and ¢. 17 % of females breed. Litters of 2 - 6 young are born after gestation of 30 - 33 days. Weaning is related to food availability, and ¢. 60 % ofjuveniles die during the first year. Infanticide by immigrating males occurs to avoid providing resources for another male’s progeny. Juveniles delay dispersal and remain in their natal group for at least three years. Most dispersal appears to occurafter sexual maturity when males move to groups with fewer individuals than their natal group. Non-juvenile survival increases in years when food is abundant.

Sciuridae