 It has traditionally been considered a subspecies of the similar, more southerly distributed gray marmot ("M. baibacina"), but was separated mainly due to different diploid numbers.Forest-steppe marmots have a head-and-body length of , and light individuals weigh as little as in the spring (after hibernation) and heavy individuals as much as in the autumn (before hibernation).It hibernates for about 6 months starting in August or September.