With their adorable appearance and fluffy fur, giant ground squirrels typically inhabit high mountains and exhibit unique behaviors.
There are 14 species of giant ground squirrels, including the yellow-bellied variety found in Canada, the Himalayan species, and those in Siberia with long tails (living in Central Asia). In Europe, the Alpine marmot is the most widely recognized.
Giant ground squirrels spend most of their time underground.
Their name – marmot – originates from “murmunto” in German, which is derived from “mures montis” in Latin, meaning “mountain mouse.” They are the largest members of the squirrel family, weighing between 3-7 kg. Their fluffy fur adds to their larger appearance.
This species spends most of its time underground. However, when they emerge from their burrows, they often stand on their hind legs. There are two reasons for this: First, it allows them to better observe their surroundings, and second, it makes it easier to use their front legs to stuff food into their mouths.
Giant ground squirrels dig complex tunnel systems, which can easily confuse other animals. The longest tunnel ever discovered measures up to 113 meters.
This rodent cannot tolerate heat. For them, a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius feels like 36 degrees Celsius in the sunlight due to their thick fur. When temperatures drop below -20 degrees Celsius, they often stay in their burrows, huddling together and lowering their body temperature by 6 degrees Celsius to conserve energy. The smallest individuals are positioned in the middle, where it is warmest.
