# Steppe Marmot (*Marmota kastschenkoi Stroganov &*) Steppe Marmots are chubby rodents that live in burrows underground. They have brown fur and short tails, and they love to play and dig in the grasslands. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Bobak Marmot, Marmota bobak ![Steppe Marmot](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426212/objects/6440.jpg) ## Appearance The Steppe Marmot is a stocky rodent with reddish-brown fur, often paler on its belly. Its head typically has a darker crown, contrasting with lighter cheeks. It has small ears and a short, bushy tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Marmota ## Interesting facts - Marmot families greet each other with nose-to-nose 'kisses' to recognize colony members! - Steppe Marmots sometimes double their body weight before winter to fuel their super-long hibernation! - Their cozy burrows are like underground cities, often stretching over 10 meters long with many entrances. - Young marmots love to play-wrestle and chase, which helps them learn important survival skills. ## Special abilities - **Super Digger:** Steppe Marmot can dig extensive burrows because of its strong claws, which provides safe homes and escape routes. - **Hibernation Master:** Steppe Marmot has an incredible ability to slow its body down, helping it survive long, cold winters underground. - **Alarm Whistler:** Steppe Marmot can make loud, sharp whistle calls that warn its colony of predators, keeping everyone safe. - **Fat Storage:** Steppe Marmot has the ability to store significant body fat that helps them sustain their long winter hibernation. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 49-65 cm - **Weight:** 3.5-6.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-12 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 4-6 - **Gestation:** 40-42 days ## Diet & Feeding They munch on yummy grasses, leafy plants, and seeds to get all their energy for playing and growing. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Wild herbs, Roots, Seeds, Flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Wolf (*Canis lupus*) — Wolves are a primary predator of the Steppe Marmot. - **Hunts:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Red foxes frequently prey on Steppe Marmots, especially young ones. - **Hunts:** [Golden Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-eagle) (*Aquila chrysaetos*) — Golden Eagles are powerful aerial predators of marmots. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Steppe](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/steppe): This habitat trait describes species found in steppes, which are dry, treeless grasslands characterized by extreme seasonal temperature variations and low precipitation. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Enjoy watching Steppe Marmots from a safe distance and never try to touch or disturb them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Steppe Marmot? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Steppe Marmot? 49-65 cm ### How much does Steppe Marmot weigh? 3.5-6.5 kg ### How long does Steppe Marmot live? 7-12 years ### How fast can Steppe Marmot move? 25 km/h ### What does Steppe Marmot eat? They munch on yummy grasses, leafy plants, and seeds to get all their energy for playing and growing. ### Where is Steppe Marmot usually found? Grasslands ### How does Steppe Marmot hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Steppe Marmot: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/steppe-marmot)