Can you keep marmots as pets? Can you see them in Japan?

The latest trending animal on social media - "Marmot"

Marmots are a hot topic on social media platforms all over the world, including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
They have even appeared in a commercial for a major food manufacturer in Japan.
Marmots are so popular that they are searched for tens of thousands to 100k times in a single month, as shown below.



In this column, I have put together the necessary information based on information obtained from overseas marmot experts and overseas literature for people who want to keep or see marmots.
I hope that this will help as many people as possible learn more about marmots and convey their charm.


Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1. First of all, what is a marmot?
2. Where do marmots live?
3. Can you keep marmots as pets in Japan?
4. Can you see marmots in Japan?
5. What is the price of a marmot?
6. What you need to know before getting a marmot
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1. First of all, what is a marmot?

Marmots are large rodents belonging to the squirrel family and live mainly in mountainous and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
There are different types of marmots depending on where they live.

Marmots look like this:
Body length: Approximately 40-70 cm
Weight: Usually 3-7 kg *varies depending on species and season
Coat color: Brown, gray, black, etc.
Marmots can walk on two legs in addition to all four, and their adorable appearance is one of the reasons they are so popular.

Marmots are social animals that dig burrows and live with their families and friends. They have a sentinel who warns them when they sense danger by making a loud cry. This cry is high-pitched and can be heard far away. The average lifespan in the wild is 6 to 15 years.

Marmots are herbivores and prefer to eat soft, juicy grasses, but will also eat seeds, grains, fruits, and nuts.

The most popular type of marmot is the Himalayan marmot, which is characterized by its dark brown, almost black, fur from its head to its back.

ー What's your favorite type of marmot? ー

Although the Himalayan marmot is extremely popular, it is not yet found in Japan.

2. Where do marmots live?

There are 15 different types of marmots in the world.

<Examples of marmots found around the world>
America: Woodchuck, Hoary Marmot
Europe: Alpine Marmot, Bobak Marmot
Asia: Himalayan Marmot

Have you seen the Hoary Marmot in the famous meme?
In reality, it has a cute high-pitched voice, but the voice in the meme is a man's screaming.

 

3. Can you keep marmots as pets in Japan?

<What about other countries around the world?>
There are surprisingly few countries where you can keep marmots as pets!
I conducted a survey of about 400k followers of "Dr. Marmot" on Instagram. Only 16 countries of the 42 countries allow marmots as pets.

<What about in Japan?>
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, about 20 marmots have been imported to Japan so far.
They are mostly kept in animal care facilities, but some people keep them privately.
There are three types of marmots in Japan: the Bobak marmot, the alpine marmot, and the woodchuck.

Types of marmots found in Japan

 

Wild marmots live at high altitudes and therefore hibernate for 6 to 8 months. Marmots gain 30 to 50% of their normal body weight and store fat to hibernate for such a long time.

They molt twice a year, in spring and autumn.
Spring molting: This occurs from March to May after hibernation. They change from their thick, highly insulating winter fur to their thin, light summer fur.
Autumn molting: This occurs from September to November in preparation for hibernation. They change from their summer fur to their highly insulating winter fur.

4. Can you see marmots in Japan?

You can meet marmots at 7 facilities in Japan!

Facilities in Japan where you can meet marmots
(as of September 2024)

 

 

5. What is the price of a marmot?

I investigated the prices that people are curious about, and the prices that have been sold so far as of 2024.
The results of collecting data from about 14 sources on the Internet and through interviews are as follows.
Average: 836,000 yen

When I inquired with a company that imports several Bobak marmots and alpine marmots once every few years, they told me that the prices are 800,000 to 900,000 yen.
After all, the number of them in circulation is small, and considering the transportation costs, the above prices may be unavoidable.
Recently, there is information that an "alpine marmot" that had been in a pet shop for nearly two years was sold for about 400,000 yen.
This may have been reduced in price repeatedly because it had been in the pet shop for a long time...

 

 

6. What you need to know before getting a marmot

Many people want to keep marmots as pets.
However, because there are few of them in circulation, there is little information available in Japan.
I have collected information from many experts who visited China, where Himalayan marmots live.

"Marmot Lovers Club" was established in July 2024 in Japan.
Currently, there are about 130 members.

7. Lastly

I decided to be the first person in Japan to keep a Himalayan marmot in the fall of 2023, and started Instagram.
Now, I have about 400k followers from all over the world who support me.

I stayed in China for 18 days to visit the marmot village at the end of May 2024.
During my stay in China, I started X (Twitter), and now I am energized by many people in Japan.

If there are people who are serious about keeping a marmot, I may be able to help you in some way. In that case, please feel free to send me a DM on Instagram or X (Twitter).
*I cannot sell marmots, but I can introduce all kinds of information both domestically and internationally.

I hope that more people will be healed by marmots, along with the happiness of marmots.

 

 FAQ

・How much do marmots cost?
As of August 2024, there is no information on the sale of marmots.
However, in the past year, they have been sold for 900,000 to 1.1 million yen. There was information that they were sold for 500,000 yen a few years ago, so it is expected to be even higher in the future.

・How can I raise a marmot?
First, it is important to check the sales information ofmarmots, and then find a veterinary hospital that can treat marmots. You also need to make sure that the marmot has enough space to move around.
There is no information on marmots being sold in Japan at this time, but if you would like the latest information, please contact me. I will provide you with the information I have as much as possible.

・What do marmots eat?
They are basically herbivores, so they mainly eat vegetables.
In online videos, they are given rice crackers and cookies, but this is not recommended.

・In what countries can you meet marmots?
About 90% of videos on the internet are of "Himalayan marmots".
You can see Himalayan marmots in high-altitude nature parks in China or India.
The easiest place to see them is probably a zoo in Taiwan.

・Which zoos in Japan keep marmots?
Izu Shaboten Park is the only facility in Japan that keeps marmots called the Bobak marmot, although it is not a Himalayan marmot.
Himalayan marmots have not yet landed in Japan.

・What do pet marmots smell like?
Both wild Himalayan marmots and captive Bobak marmots have almost no smell.
It is thought to be similar to that of cats and dogs kept indoors.