Northern pika
Northern pika | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Lagomorpha |
Family: | Ochotonidae |
Genus: | Ochotona |
Species: | O. hyperborea
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Binomial name | |
Ochotona hyperborea (Pallas, 1811)
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Northern pika range |
The northern pika (Ochotona hyperborea) is a species of
Taxonomy
There are several subspecies of this pika:[2]
- Ochotona hyperborea cinereoflava
- Ochotona hyperborea coreana
- Ochotona hyperborea ferruginea
- Ochotona hyperborea mantchurica
- Ochotona hyperborea normalis
- Ochotona hyperborea uralesis
- Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis
- Ochotona hyperborea yoshikurai
Description
The northern pika is a small species and grows to a length of between 12.5 and 18.5 centimeters (4.9 and 7.3 in) with a tail of 0.5 to 1.2 centimeters (0.20 to 0.47 in). It has small rounded ears and short legs with five toes on each foot and furry soles. The fine long hair is reddish-brown in summer but much greyer in winter. The underparts are white tinged with reddish-brown and the sexes look alike.[3] It is variable in size and colouring across its extensive range.[4]
Distribution and habitat
The northern pika lives in mountainous regions of eastern Asia. Its range extends from the
Behaviour
Northern pikas are most active and mostly feed soon after dawn and as dusk approaches. They have a network of burrows and also use crevices in the rocks and subterranean runways. Each underground network of passages has numerous entrances and pathways join these with feeding areas on the surface. During their time above ground, their time is spent moving about, feeding, grooming or sitting in a stationary position, usually on some eminence. They mostly move around using short jumps but can also walk and run, and can combine these means of locomotion while agilely climbing over rocks or scaling cliffs. They can stand briefly on their hind legs while sparring or gathering food and can climb in an ungainly fashion in seedling conifers such as the
The northern pika is
Some time is spent grooming the fur of the head and face with the forepaws and scratching the head and front part of the body with the hind feet. Apart from settling the fur and removing external parasites, these activities may serve to spread the secretions of the apocrine glands onto the paws for territory marking. Much time is spent loitering in specially selected spots, usually on a prominent rock or tree stump within a few metres (yards) of a hole, for up to ten minutes at a time. On some of these occasions, the pika seems to be sunbathing in a relaxed stance, the animal often turning its head towards the sun, but at other times the animal seems alert and on the look out. The approach of a predator or an observer too closely for comfort causes the animal to scurry away into its hole with a sharp warning cry "Kitz". At certain times, an animal may call from an eminence to other pikas in the area and other individuals may respond. Other shrill calls may be made when sitting or moving around but their significance is unclear.[5]
Breeding
Both male and female northern pikas defend
Status
The northern pika has a very large range and is common within suitable habitat in that range. The population size is relatively stable and no significant threats have been identified so the
References
- ^ . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ a b c d O'Brian, Allison (2007). "Ochotona hyperborea: Northern pika". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
- ^ ISBN 9782831700199.
- ^ hdl:2115/27479.
- S2CID 85677909.
- .
- Media related to Ochotona hyperborea at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Ochotona hyperborea at Wikispecies