Marmot Soft Toy - Anima Alpine Plush

The marmot soft toy by Anima stands upright with paws tucked in and a curious expression — as though it has just popped out of its burrow to survey the surroundings. The brown fur is soft and dense, and the round ears and small nose give the plush toy a charming look. French manufacturer Anima has been producing lifelike plush toys since 1946 and captured the marmot's stocky build and expressive eyes. The marmot plush toy makes a lovely memento of an Alpine holiday, and also works well in nurseries when children are learning about hibernation and mountain wildlife. The soft toy meets the European EN71 safety standard.

The Alpine marmot (Marmota marmota) lives at elevations between 800 and 3,000 metres in the Alps and Carpathians. With a head-to-body length of 40 to 50 centimetres and a weight of three to eight kilogrammes, it is one of Europe's largest rodents. Marmots live in family groups and dig extensive burrow systems with separate summer and winter chambers. In autumn they build up a thick layer of fat and enter true hibernation from October to April, during which their body temperature drops to around five degrees Celsius.

Did you know that a marmot breathes only two to three times per minute during hibernation? When awake, it takes around 30 breaths. The heart rate also slows dramatically — from roughly 200 beats per minute down to about 20. In this way, the marmot saves over 90 per cent of its energy and can survive six months without food.