The marmot (bobak) is a valuable animal

What are marmots, or so-called bobaks? Small settlements of these furry animals with an unusually amusing whistle and an interesting way of life are quite often encountered in the steppe.

Habitat

The representative of the rodent squad - marmot (bobak) is the oldest inhabitant of the steppes of Asia and Europe. Today their numbers have decreased noticeably due to active human activity, for example, such as plowing of steppe territories. These funny animals are inhabited in some areas 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, with the development of virgin land, as well as in carrying out measures against the plague, the number of marmots decreased quite considerably. And only in the last decade it began to grow. Nowadays, in some areas of the baibak population, reserves are organized. They play a huge role in protecting these animals.

Lifestyle

The marmot (bobak) is a fairly large rodent of yellowish-red color, weighing up to 10 kg and a body length of about 70 cm. These animals live in burrows, the depth of which sometimes reaches 2 m. From September to March, marmots spend in hibernation. In the rest of the year they are on the surface of the earth from sunrise and sunset.

During the meal, a pair of animals, standing on their hind legs, observe the terrain. And when enemies appear, they report this to all relatives and hide in burrows. Feeding for the bobaks are insects and plants such as wild oats, clover, wheatgrass and so on. For a day the animal eats up to 1 kg of food. He practically does not use water. Life expectancy of the bobaks averages about 10 years. The main enemies of these animals are wolves, birds of prey and man.

Valuable fishing

In addition to the fact that the marmot (bobak) is very funny and interesting, it is also a very valuable game animal. Skins of these animals well imitate the kind of expensive furs, and therefore has a huge demand. When carrying out international fur auctions, marmot skins are bought up quickly, besides for a considerable price. A fur coat from a bobak will be a wonderful gift for a woman. When mining a small animal it is very important not to spoil its skin.

In addition, from one adult animal can get about 2 kg of tender meat and about 1 kg of valuable fat. This is also very appreciated steppe marmot (bobak). Fat of this animal, obtained in the autumn season, is used not only for technical purposes, but also widely used in the form of a high-calorie food product. In addition, he is a proven medicine in the fight against tuberculosis, anemia. Also, groundworm fat is very effective for various traumatic injuries.

Hunting

The hunt for marmot (bobak) begins from the middle of July and lasts until the end of August. The whole process takes place in the open steppe or on the harvested cereal fields. Detecting rodents is not difficult. Hills up to 70 cm above the mink give out their habitats.

They hunt for a marmot more often with a gun. Catching these animals with traps is considered illegal in many countries. Most hunters hunt baibaks for sporting interest, and not to get his fat, thick fur or delicious meat. However, in any case, hunting for this animal requires an acute eye and a reliable weapon. At the beginning of the hunting season, when the marmot (bobak) is not particularly shy, many get to sneak up to him for a shot from a smoothbore gun. However, mostly all this happens when there is a rifled weapon. Shooting in the marmot is possible and cartridges from the ring ignition caliber 5.6 (small), as well as large-caliber weapons. When shooting hunters, the baioback is hiding in the steppe grass.