Alaska Marmot Research Paper

The Alaska Marmot are classified as rodents who live in cold climates in mountain regions. They have very distinctive features that make them different from other marmots. As rodents they have pointed, sharp teeth used for eating. In regards to there appearance, they have black or brown fur that tends to extend from the very top portion of their head to the top of their nose. Eyes are round, in shape and small. It also has five curved limbs that are used to improve their digging(Wilson and Ruff, 1999).The coloration of the marmots fur varies and can range from white, to brown to black. It uses it’s dark fur in order to camouflage from predators. The body of a Alaska Marmot has bilateral symmetry which means they have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends (Bee and Hall, 1956). They are typically large in size ranging from (539 to 652 mm).Males
The desire for the marmots to mate is caused by pheromones. Pheromones are released from the marmots anal scent glands.
They have seasonal breeding. As a result Breeding occurs once every year typically around the time there hibernation ends. The gestation period last for five to six weeks at most. As mammals they are viviparous and during these five to six weeks in one single female litter about three to eight Alaska marmots can be born (Hubbart, 2011). The average amount of marmots born are about four. The age in which the Alaska Marmot gains sexual maturity is around three years. At one years old the Marmot develops it’s outer layer of fur and they hibernate with their parents as they reach adulthood. Both the male and female parents tend to provide protection and support until the baby marmots reach two years of age which is considered adulthood. (Hubbart, 2011). There life span is between 13 to 15