Himalayan Marmot

activity

Activity patterns. Himalayan Marmots are diurnal and social hibernators. They are only active for 5 - 6 months each summer and hibernate in burrows for the remaining 6 - 7 months of the year.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Alpine meadows, upland grasslands, and high-elevation deserts. Himalayan Marmots exist at elevations of up to 5670 m, and they are perhaps the southernmostoccurring species of marmot.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Himalayan Marmot is social and lives in multi-burrow colonies, usually in groups of up to ten individuals. Natal dispersal is delayed, and social groups typically consist of single dominant adult male, adult female, two-year-olds, one-year-olds, and young-of-the-year. Group members are highly sociable and display affiliative behavior. Non-group members are targets of aggressive displays, tooth chatters, and chases. Alarm call is a high-pitched complex call with two distinct sounds when threatened.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The Himalayan Marmotlives in multi-burrow colonies in which young are born after gestation of ¢. 30 days; litter size averages 4 - 8 young in high-density populations and seven young at low densities (range 2 - 11). Females can reproduce in their second year.

Sciuridae