Champion of the entire steppe. Marmot fight in the Kursk nature reserve.

Having barely emerged from six months of hibernation, three marmots from the Alekhine Central Black Earth Nature Reserve immediately began fighting. Not "to first blood," but rather just to warm up.

First, one marmot fought with a second, then a third, but not very vigorously—they simply waved their paws. Then the most combative marmot returned to the fight with the first opponent.

“Due to unfavorable weather conditions, namely a long drought, the animals fell asleep very early, and already in September they stopped showing themselves on the surface, told reserve staff. — Thus, their winter hibernation lasted more than six months.".

According to scientists, marmots wake up in early March. This year was no exception: the animals woke up a month ago and only occasionally emerged from their burrows. But they were in no hurry to emerge—the weather was unfavorable. As soon as the sun warmed up, the marmots emerged from their burrows and held their first "fistfighting competition."

Video: Alekhine Central Black Earth Nature Reserve