Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Lagomorpha
- Family
- Ochotonidae
- Genus
- Ochotona
Habitat
Plateau pikas primarily inhabit alpine meadows, grasslands, and rocky slopes on the Tibetan Plateau at elevations between 3,000 and 5,000 meters. They prefer areas with loose soil for burrowing and abundant vegetation for foraging. This species is endemic to high-altitude regions of western China, including parts of Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan.
Diet
Plateau pikas mainly eat grasses, sedges, and other herbaceous plants, which they clip close to the ground. They are diurnal herbivores that forage actively during the day, often in groups, and may cache food for winter. In harsher seasons, they supplement their diet with roots, bark, and available shrubs.
Behavior
Plateau pikas are highly social, living in colonies with extensive burrow systems that include multiple entrances. They are diurnal, most active during the day, and communicate through high-pitched calls to warn of predators or maintain territory. These animals exhibit territorial behavior, defending their burrows and foraging areas from rivals.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Plateau pika as Least Concern, with stable global populations, but local declines occur due to habitat loss and poisoning as agricultural pests. Major threats include overgrazing by livestock and climate change impacting alpine meadows.