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The evolutionary mystery of the Alpine marmot: How did the Ice Age shape this creature?
The Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) is a large ground squirrel, belonging to the genus Marmota. It is widely distributed in the mountainous areas of central and southern Europe. Its living height is between 800 and 3200 meters. These adorable creatures were successfully reintroduced to the Pyrenees in 1948, having disappeared at the end of the Pleistocene. This recovery process and the evolutionary story behind it reveal the profound impact of the Ice Age on their survival.
Evolutionary process
The origins of the Alpine marmot can be traced back to the cold steppes of the Pleistocene, an environment that resulted in their excellent digging abilities. These animals can dig into soil so hard that even a pickaxe is difficult to shake, and they can hibernate for up to nine months. With the disappearance of the Pleistocene cold steppes, Alpine marmots now inhabit high-altitude Alpine meadows.
The genetic diversity of Alpine marmots is affected by a bottleneck effect, resulting in them being one of the least genetically diverse wild animals.
Physical Characteristics
The body length of an adult Alpine marmot is usually between 43 and 73 centimeters, its tail length is 13 and 20 centimeters, and its weight ranges from 1.9 to 8 kilograms. The animals' coat color is usually a mix of gold, red and dark gray and tends to appear lighter in the spring when they are first awakening.
Ecological scope
Alpine marmots are mainly distributed in the Alps in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia and Austria. Subspecies of them can be found even in places like the Pyrenees and the Central Highlands of France. These prairie dogs prefer alpine meadows and build complex nesting systems deep in mud or rocky areas.
Eating habits
The Alpine marmot's diet includes grasses, herbs, grains, and insects. They love fresh green plants, and under suitable weather, they will eat a lot to store fat in preparation for the upcoming hibernation.
Lifestyle
When building a nest, prairie dogs make full use of their front paws and hind feet to dig. There are often "living areas" at the end of the nest, which are decorated with hay and plant stems to create a warm habitat. Each prairie dog colony is composed of several families, centered around a dominant breeding pair, and they display strong defensive behavior against intruders.
Hibernation habits
Alpine marmots hibernate in response to harsh weather and food shortages in winter. They collect sharp vegetation before winter and seal their nests with dirt and excrement, a behavior that helps them survive the cold season. During hibernation, these marmots gather together to stay warm through physical contact.
The heart rate of these prairie dogs decreases to five times per minute during hibernation, while the number of breaths drops to one to three times.
Interaction with humans
In the past, Alpine marmots were widely hunted for food. Although they are no longer threatened with extinction, some subspecies are still threatened by hunting, especially in certain areas of France and Germany. These animals were used in performances and became a cultural symbol.
The way the Alpine marmot lives and how it adapts to its environment is puzzling. As factors such as climate change affect its habitat, can this ancient creature continue to survive?
