(_Arctomys marmotta_)
The marmot of the Alps is the typical representative of a large
assemblage of burrowing rodents near akin to squirrels; the
head-quarters of the group being in central Asia. By rights, of course,
the name belongs exclusively to the typical species, but as it has
been extended to include all the members of the group, the former is
now distinguished as the Alpine marmot. Marmotte, it appears, is the
Savoyard name of this rodent, which in the Engadine is designated
marmotella, while its German designation is murmeltier.
The typical marmot is confined to Europe, and mainly to the high ranges
of the Alps, Pyrenees, and Carpathians. In eastern Europe and western
Asia it is replaced by the bobac (_Arctomys bobac_); and in central
Asia there are a number of species, of which several are considerably
larger and more brightly coloured than the Alpine animal; none is
found to the south of the main range of the Himalaya, and the group is
represented elsewhere only by the so-called woodchuck (_A. monax_) of
North America, which attains a length of about 24 inches.
The general colour and appearance of the Alpine marmot are well shown
in the Plate; and it will suffice to direct attention to the shortness
of the ears as a feature connected with burrowing habits. In one
Himalayan species the tail is considerably longer. In the Alps marmots
dwell high up among bare rocks, above the zone of vegetation, where
not even goats venture, and where it frequently snows for six weeks
together in winter. In such desolate situations these hardy rodents
make their home in the little islands of rocks between the glaciers.
Himalayan marmots, on the other hand, live at an elevation where a
considerable amount of vegetable growth flourishes in summer; their
burrows being frequently excavated beneath clumps of wild rhubarb.
As summer resorts, Alpine marmots select situations with a southerly,
easterly, or westerly aspect on the mountain slopes, and here they
construct their summer dwellings, which are designed to afford them
shelter in bad weather and to serve as a refuge from danger. In autumn
they dig deeper into the sides of the mountains to construct their
winter burrows and chambers, which have to afford accommodation for the
entire family, whose number generally ranges between five and fifteen
individuals. The burrow terminates in a large chamber, which is filled
with soft, short hay. As early as August these rodents begin to collect
grass, which is spread out on the hillsides to dry, and then carried
into the burrows.
[Illustration]
The entrance to the burrow is only just wide enough to admit the
owners, and at the commencement of the winter-sleep is blocked with
earth, stones, clay, grass, and hay. When this work is completed,
the whole family falls into a death-like sleep lasting from six to
eight months; in this torpid condition, well protected from the intense
cold, they remain till awakened to new life by the warmth of returning
spring.
Marmots feed upon a number of different kinds of Alpine plants, as well
as on the fresh or dried grass found in the neighbourhood of their
burrows. When eating, they sit up on their hind-legs and hold the food
in their mouths after the manner of squirrels; and the herbage they
consume is so full of sap, that they seldom require to drink. The same
upright position is assumed when they first come out of their burrows,
in order that they may see whether all is safe; if danger threatens,
they utter a shrill whistle and disappear with marvellous rapidity into
the depths of the burrow. Frequently they take up their position on
some large rock in the neighbourhood of the burrow, on which they can
either sit up and survey the prospect, or bask in the warmth of the
summer sun.
Their extraordinary wariness and the rapidity with which they disappear
from view are due to their numerous enemies, among which man, foxes,
and eagles and other birds-of-prey are the chief. It requires only the
shadow of an eagle’s wings to make them utter their piercing, whistling
scream and vanish into the holes, from which they do not reappear for
some time. As a rule, they only remain above ground while the sun is
shining, and they keep entirely below during bad weather, so that they
are regarded by the peasants as weather-prophets.
To the Savoyards and other Alpine peasantry the marmot is a valuable
animal; its flesh being much esteemed as food, when it has been freed
from a certain disagreeable odour by smoking. The fat is regarded
as a remedy for many diseases; and a freshly removed marmot skin is
considered wonderfully efficacious in cases of rheumatism. Marmots are
caught either by trapping or by digging them out of their burrows.
Years ago Savoyard organmen used frequently to be accompanied by a
marmot or two.