Wildlifeof China
Gray Marmot
Squirrels & Flying Squirrels
Photo: Alastair Rae · CC BY-SA 3.0
Marmota baibacina
Basic stats
Diet
Grasses, forbs and other alpine plants
Habitat
Alpine meadow, steppe and rocky mountain slopes
Range
Central Asian mountains, including western China
Size
Approximately 60–80cm including the tail
Weight
Approximately 4–7kg
The gray marmot is a large burrowing squirrel with a heavy body, short limbs and a grizzled grey-brown coat. Adults measure approximately 60–80cm including the tail and commonly weigh 4–7kg, with substantial seasonal variation. It inhabits alpine meadow, mountain steppe and rocky slopes across Central Asia, including western China. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Gray marmots live in colonies centred on extensive burrow systems and communicate with sharp alarm calls. They feed on grasses, forbs and other alpine vegetation during the brief growing season, building fat reserves before spending winter in prolonged underground hibernation. (Wikipedia, general species account)
Quick answers
- What does the Gray Marmot eat?
- Grasses, forbs and other alpine plants
- What habitat does the Gray Marmot live in?
- Alpine meadow, steppe and rocky mountain slopes
- Where is the Gray Marmot found?
- Central Asian mountains, including western China
- How big is the Gray Marmot?
- Approximately 60–80cm including the tail
- How much does the Gray Marmot weigh?
- Approximately 4–7kg