What are marmots, or so-called marmots? Small settlements of these furry animals with an unusually funny whistle and an interesting way of life are quite common in the steppe.
Habitat
The representative of the rodent squad - marmot (baibak) is the oldest inhabitant of the steppes of Asia and Europe. Today, their numbers have significantly decreased due to vigorous human activity, such as plowing steppe territories. These funny animals live on separate sites in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, the Middle Volga region, as well as in the southern regions of the Urals - from the Urals to the Irtysh.
In the Soviet years, during the development of virgin lands, as well as during measures against the plague, the number of marmots decreased quite significantly. And only in the last decade it began to grow. Nowadays, nature reserves are organized in some areas where baibaks live. They play a huge role in protecting these animals.
Lifestyle
The groundhog (baibak) is a rather large rodent of yellowish-red color weighing up to 10 kg and body length of about 70 cm.These animals live in burrows, the depth of which sometimes reaches 2 m. From September to March, groundhogs are carried out in hibernation. In the rest of the year, they are on the surface of the earth from sunrise to sunset.
While eating, a pair of animals, standing on their hind legs, observe the terrain. And when enemies appear, all relatives report this and hide in holes. Insects and plants such as wild oats, clover, wheat grass and so on serve as food for marmots. During the day, the animal eats up to 1 kg of food. He practically does not use water. The average life expectancy of baibak is about 10 years. The main enemies of these animals are wolves, birds of prey and humans.
Valuable craft
Besides the fact that the groundhog (baibak) is very funny and interesting, it is also a very valuable hunting animal. The skin of these animals imitates the appearance of expensive furs well, and therefore is in great demand. During international fur auctions, marmot skins are sold out quickly, and at a considerable price. A baibac coat will be a wonderful gift for a woman. When catching the animal, it is very important not to spoil its skin.
In addition, from one adult animal you can get about 2 kg of tender meat and about 1 kg of valuable fat. The steppe marmot (marmot) is also very much appreciated by this. The fat of this animal, obtained in the autumn season, is used not only for technical purposes, but is also widely used as a high-calorie food product. In addition, it is a proven medicine in the fight against tuberculosis, anemia. Also, marmot fat is very effective in various traumatic injuries.
Hunting
The hunt for a groundhog (baibak) begins in mid-July and continues almost until the end of August. This whole process takes place in the open steppe or in harvested grain fields. Finding rodents is easy. Mounds up to 70 cm high above the minks give out their habitats.
Groundhog hunt more often with a gun. Catching these animals with traps in many countries is considered illegal. Most hunters hunt mowers for sporting interest, and not in order to get his fat, thick fur or tasty meat. However, in any case, hunting for this animal requires a sharp eye and reliable weapons. At the beginning of the hunting season, when the groundhog (baibak) is not particularly shy, many get to sneak up on him for a shot from a smooth-bore gun. However, predominantly all this occurs when there are rifled weapons. Groundhog shooting is also possible with rifle ammunition of caliber 5.6 (small shell), as well as large-caliber weapons. When the hunter shoots, the baibk hides in the steppe grass lying down.