Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Lagomorpha
- Family
- Ochotonidae
- Genus
- Ochotona
Habitat
Moupin pikas inhabit high-altitude mountainous regions, primarily in western China such as Sichuan and Tibet, at elevations between 2,000 and 4,500 meters. They prefer rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and areas with abundant crevices for burrowing, avoiding dense forests or lowlands.
Diet
Moupin pikas primarily eat grasses, herbs, and leaves, with a preference for fresh vegetation in alpine meadows. They are active foragers during the day, often caching food like dried plants for winter survival, and may supplement their diet with roots or bark when necessary.
Behavior
Moupin pikas are diurnal and highly social, living in loose colonies with overlapping territories in rocky habitats. They communicate with high-pitched calls to warn of predators and are territorial, often chasing away intruders from their burrows. These animals are agile climbers and spend much of their time foraging or sunbathing on rocks.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status of the Moupin pika is Least Concern, with a stable population trend, though it faces threats from habitat fragmentation due to infrastructure development in mountainous regions.