The large-eared pika has brownish-grey fur tinged with ochre. The forehead, cheeks and shoulder region have a reddish tinge which is more obvious in summer. The underparts are greyish-white.[2] The four legs are all about the same length and the feet, including the soles, are covered with fur.[3] An adult large-eared pika is 15 to 20.4 cm (6 to 8 in) long.[1]
Distribution and habitatedit
The large-eared pika is native to mountainous regions of Central Asia. Its range includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Yunnan in China. Its minimum altitude is about 2,300 metres (7,500 ft)[1] and it has been recorded at altitudes of 6,130 metres (20,113 feet) in the Himalayas. The large-eared pika does not make a burrow but lives in crevices among the shattered rock and scree found in mountainous regions.[3]
Biologyedit
The large-eared pika is territorial, an adult pair occupying an exclusive area. In different parts of their range they are found at densities varying between 6 and 18 individuals per hectare. They are prey species for various carnivorous mammals and birds of prey.[2]
The large-eared pika is an herbivore and is diurnal. It feeds on grasses and other vegetation, twigs, lichens and mosses. Some populations make "haypiles" of dried grasses in their burrows to help see them through the winter when fresh greenery is scarce. There are usually two litters a year, each with two to three young. The gestation period is approximately 30 days. The juveniles are mature by the next breeding season and the life expectancy of this species is about three years.[1]
Statusedit
Although the population size of the large-eared pika is unknown, it has an extensive range and seems to be common within its upland habitat. No particular threats have been identified so the IUCN, in its Red List of Threatened Species, lists it as being of "Least Concern".[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdeSmith, A.T.; Lissovsky, A. (2016). "Ochotona macrotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41265A45183918. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T41265A45183918.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
^ abSmith, Andrew T. "Pika". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
Wikispecies has information related to Ochotona macrotis.
December 18, 2023
large, eared, pika, large, eared, pika, ochotona, macrotis, species, small, mammal, family, ochotonidae, found, mountainous, regions, afghanistan, tibet, bhutan, india, kazakhstan, kyrgyzstan, nepal, pakistan, tajikistan, where, nests, among, boulders, scree, . The large eared pika Ochotona macrotis is a species of small mammal in the family Ochotonidae It is found in mountainous regions of Afghanistan Tibet Bhutan India Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Nepal Pakistan and Tajikistan where it nests among boulders and scree Large eared pikaat Ladakh IndiaConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder LagomorphaFamily OchotonidaeGenus OchotonaSpecies O macrotisBinomial nameOchotona macrotis Gunther 1875 Large eared pika range Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Biology 4 Status 5 ReferencesDescription editThe large eared pika has brownish grey fur tinged with ochre The forehead cheeks and shoulder region have a reddish tinge which is more obvious in summer The underparts are greyish white 2 The four legs are all about the same length and the feet including the soles are covered with fur 3 An adult large eared pika is 15 to 20 4 cm 6 to 8 in long 1 Distribution and habitat editThe large eared pika is native to mountainous regions of Central Asia Its range includes Afghanistan Bhutan India Pakistan Nepal Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the provinces of Gansu Qinghai Sichuan Tibet Xinjiang and Yunnan in China Its minimum altitude is about 2 300 metres 7 500 ft 1 and it has been recorded at altitudes of 6 130 metres 20 113 feet in the Himalayas The large eared pika does not make a burrow but lives in crevices among the shattered rock and scree found in mountainous regions 3 Biology editThe large eared pika is territorial an adult pair occupying an exclusive area In different parts of their range they are found at densities varying between 6 and 18 individuals per hectare They are prey species for various carnivorous mammals and birds of prey 2 The large eared pika is an herbivore and is diurnal It feeds on grasses and other vegetation twigs lichens and mosses Some populations make haypiles of dried grasses in their burrows to help see them through the winter when fresh greenery is scarce There are usually two litters a year each with two to three young The gestation period is approximately 30 days The juveniles are mature by the next breeding season and the life expectancy of this species is about three years 1 Status editAlthough the population size of the large eared pika is unknown it has an extensive range and seems to be common within its upland habitat No particular threats have been identified so the IUCN in its Red List of Threatened Species lists it as being of Least Concern 1 References edit a b c d e Smith A T Lissovsky A 2016 Ochotona macrotis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T41265A45183918 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T41265A45183918 en Retrieved 16 November 2021 a b Ochotona macrotis Large eared pika Wildpro Retrieved 2013 08 22 a b Smith Andrew T Pika Encyclopaedia Britannica Retrieved 2013 08 22 nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Ochotona macrotis Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Large eared pika amp oldid 1111962428, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
