Steppe marmot
The Bobak marmot (Marmota bobak) is a social animal that hibernates for more than half the year. It is a symbol of Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine, as is found on its coat of arms and the coats of arms of some of its districts. It is also depicted on the flag and c.o.a of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine.
The Bobak marmot has a round stomach, stubby legs, and a short tail. It is easily distinguished from other marmots by the length of the tail (no more than 15 cm) and monotonous sandy-yellow color. Due to the dark tips of the ridge hair, its back is covered with dark brown or black ripples that thicken on the back of the head and on the top of the head. Cheeks are light reddish and there are brown or black spots under the eyes. The abdomen is noticeably darker and reddish on the sides; the end of the tail is dark brown. There are albino marmots. Marmots molt once a year beginning in May and ending (in old marmots) by the end of August, sometimes extending into September. Populations that live in the western part of the range are larger and darker than those that live in the eastern parts.
Bobak marmots are native to Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ranging from central and eastern Ukraine, through far southwestern Russia, to northern and central Kazakhstan. These animals inhabit steppes, rolling grasslands, and the edge of cultivated fields.
Bobak marmots are highly social animals. They live in colonies of several families. They construct complex burrow systems under the ground in which they sleep, hibernate, raise young, and hide from predators. Bobak marmots are usually active in the morning and after dusk spending their time socializing and foraging. They are active for about 5.5 months each year and the rest months are spent hibernating. After their second hibernation, young Bobak marmots usually leave their home colony. These animals have a single alarm call, which they emit when spotting an approaching predator or sensing any danger.
Bobak marmots are herbivores (graminivores, granivores, folivores). Their diet includes wild steppe grasses, leaves, bulbs, flowers, and crops.
Little information is known about the mating system and reproductive behavior of Bobak marmots. Litter sizes average 4-7 pups and gestation usually lasts for about 40-42 days. The young are born blind and helpless and require parental care. It takes at least 3 years to reach reproductive maturity, about 60% of adult females usually breed in a given year.
The main threats to Bobak marmots include the loss of the steppes which is their primary habitat and hunting (the fur of these animals is used to make hats and coats).
According to the IUCN Red List, the Bobak marmot is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
