A large ground-dwelling rodent endemic to the alpine and subalpine regions of central and southern European mountain ranges, characterized by its robust body, social behavior, and hibernation adaptations.
High-altitude alpine and subalpine meadows between 1,000-3,000 meters elevation in mountain ranges like the Alps, Pyrenees, and Carpathians, typically inhabiting rocky terrain with dense grassland areas
Key species in alpine ecosystems, serving as prey for predators like golden eagles and foxes, contributing to soil aeration through burrowing, and playing a role in seed dispersal and vegetation dynamics
