Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Lagomorpha
- Family
- Ochotonidae
- Genus
- Ochotona
Habitat
This species inhabits rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and talus fields in the Helan Mountains of northwestern China, at elevations between 2,000 and 3,500 meters. They prefer areas with loose rocks for burrows and nearby vegetation for foraging.
Diet
Helan Shan pikas primarily eat grasses, herbs, and sedges, foraging actively during the day. They exhibit haymaking behavior, collecting and drying vegetation to store as food for the winter months.
Behavior
Helan Shan pikas are diurnal and live in loose colonies, often communicating with high-pitched alarm calls to warn of predators. They are territorial, defending small areas around their burrows, and spend significant time foraging and building haypiles for winter survival.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Helan Shan pika is Vulnerable, with population trends declining due to habitat loss from overgrazing and climate change.