Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Lagomorpha
- Family
- Ochotonidae
- Genus
- Ochotona
Habitat
Large-eared pikas primarily inhabit rocky slopes, talus fields, and alpine meadows at elevations above 3,000 meters in the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. They prefer areas with abundant vegetation for foraging and rocks for shelter from predators and harsh weather. These habitats are often in remote, mountainous regions of central Asia.
Diet
Large-eared pikas mainly consume grasses, herbs, and other green plants, which they forage during the day. They exhibit caching behavior, collecting and drying vegetation into haypiles for winter sustenance. Feeding peaks in the morning and late afternoon when temperatures are milder.
Behavior
Large-eared pikas are diurnal and live in loose colonies with overlapping territories, communicating through high-pitched calls to warn of predators. They are highly territorial, defending their haypiles and burrows vigorously, and spend much of their time foraging and sunbathing on rocks. These animals are agile climbers and can quickly dart into crevices for safety.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the large-eared pika as Least Concern, with a stable population trend overall, though habitat loss due to climate change and human activities poses potential threats in some regions.