The dorsal parts are golden yellow to orangish, with a black dorsal saddle patch which runs down the back. In some regions, the dorsal colour can be a rich orangish-golden, giving it the name golden marmot. Adults have a long ruff of golden hair around the neck. The tail is half the length of the body, and the major part of the tail tip is black. They have a black snout and a black patch or ring around their eyes.

They are found in parts of Central Asia and South Asia, including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and Northwestern India. In India, they are found in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. They occur between 3200 to 4850 m asl.

They are found in open meadows/grasslands, rocky areas such as inland cliffs and mountain peaks, and occasionally in shrubland and agricultural lands.

They feed on mostly grasses and small plants in and around grassy meadows.