Indian Otter Credit: Discover India

Weasel Family

Common Otter (Lutra lutra)
The common otter is occasionally in the cold desert region usually in the fringe areas. They also frequent the lower altitudes and can be seen in places like the Corbett National Park.

Beech or Stone Marten (Martes foina)
The Beech is a slender graceful animal found above an elevation of about 2200 m. They live both in the forests and barren tracts near the treeline sheltering in the hollows of trees, under logs, amongst rocks or in holes in the ground.

Himalayan Weasel (Mustela sibrica)
The Himalayan Weasel is found above an elevation of about 2000 m to about the treeline, in forests, dry sandy slopes and even in low-lying wet areas.

Rodents
There are a large variety of rodents present in the Himalayas. These animals thrive in both the main Himalayan forests as well as the cold desert areas of the Transhimalayas. The rodent population includes the resident population , which have a fixed habitat, and the migrants which migrate with the change in seasons. Some common varieties include the Kashmir woolly flying squirrel, the Kashmir flying squirrel, and the Himalayan marmot.

Himalayan Marmot basking the November sun Credit: Karamjeet Singh

Himalayan Marmot
Usually the size of a cat, yet having a scientific name meaning "mountain mouse", the Himalayan Marmots are found in alpine meadows between 10,000-14,000 ft. They are commonly found in the Upper Suru valley, from Ringdom Gompa, all the way across the Pensi pass and into Zanskar.

The Himalayan marmot is distinguished from other marmot species by its dark chocolate-brown coat with contrasting yellow patches on the face and chest. Marmots live in small groups, consisting of an adult male, acouple of adult females, some sub-adults, and pups.

The marmots live in burrows and are hibernating animals. They hibernate for about seven months, beginning in late Septemberand emerging in early May the next year.

Marmots feed on grasses and flowering plants. Marmotscommunicate byphysical contact and vocally by whistling. Also called "whistle pig", their most frequentcall is a high-pitched whistle, which warns colony members of danger.