Introducing Alpine marmot

A very loud whistle broke the silence. It reads like a boy whistling to his friend, but much louder. Whistle echoes across the mountain slopes so hard to identify the source. Then, I saw a furry rodent darted into a nearby burrow. With a quick read guide book, I knew that the beast that I saw and heard it is the alpine marmot. Over the next few days, I became more familiar with this furry rodent. I know the stones where they like to sunbathe, and location of their nest, and how they survive in harsh environments on a slope that is no longer overgrown with trees.

Family and alert Cooperation
Life in the alpine meadow is not easy for a marmot. In winter temperatures are very cold and the snow-covered habitat for months. In addition, there is the threat from predators on land and air, therefore, marmot survival depends on the cooperation, planning, and alertness.
Guinea pigs are social creatures, usually live in groups consisting of males and females along with ank-son. Every family has a few holes, one of which serves as a nest and the other as a shelter if there is a danger. Sometimes, marmot burrows they dig in the crevices under boulders. Liang-like Castel was profitable for the guinea pig for being the location where the observations trategis for sunbathing at the time and place of relaxed.
Marmot very attention to cleanliness. A separate burrows are used as toilets in order to keep the nest clean. At the end of the main burrow, rabbit hole to prepare a broader, which is covered with grass. This hole becomes a safe place for the female to give birth. It also became a special place where the whole family warm can embrace when hibernating during the long winter.
Perhaps an important family responsibility is a duty. Adult guinea pigs served as guards while other family members looking for food nearby. To detect the danger and hamsters are sometimes standing on her hind legs in order to observe the circumstances around it better. Main threat to the alpine marmot is the eagle, fox, and humans. If there is a threat or a large bird of prey, an alarm will sound. Interestingly, signs of danger to eagles - birds of prey marmot - has a distinctive tone of voice. At the time sounded, hamsters, guinea pigs were running for cover. In an instant, it seemed no more rabbits that look!
May be said of obedience is a matter of life and death, especially for young rabbits, which became the golden eagle's favorite foods. If the threat of danger is very near, the guard hiding into a nearby burrow along with others. Then, after several minutes, carefully he would his head to see if the danger had passed.

Stay Cool and Wonderful
In mountain meadows where alpine marmot lives, there are so many grass to eat, and the temperature cool in the summer. If the weather is cold, marmot sunning on the rocks would be suitable. Warmer temperatures create more problems because they can not be stripped of their furs. Therefore rabbits prefer to do a variety of activities in the early morning and early evening.
Alpine marmot would not have a problem of insomnia, they hibernate for about six months. Species that are allied with him, gray hamsters, can hibernate until nine months. During hibernation, alpine marmot heart rate slowed to one or two beats per minute, and body temperature decreased to around five degrees Celsius. Understandably, fasting for long periods of time so requires preparation. During summer and early autumn, hamsters eat greedily so that there are reserves of fat needed for hibernation in the long winter.
Marmot kids loved to play and often chased around in circles. I saw three marmot pups were rolling in the meadow that sloped while pretending to fight. All guinea pigs of all ages greet each other by touching the nose; fellow family members dress and hugged each other during the cold weather to keep warm.
Marmot make arrangements well in advance and be alert to the danger. Perhaps, the human family can learn from these rodents.