Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Lagomorpha
- Family
- Ochotonidae
- Genus
- Ochotona
Habitat
Royle's pika primarily inhabits high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, including rocky slopes, boulder fields, and alpine meadows above 3,000 meters. They prefer areas with crevices for shelter and are adapted to cold, mountainous terrain with sparse vegetation. This species avoids dense forests and lower elevations.
Diet
Royle's pika feeds mainly on grasses, herbs, and other green plants, which it gathers during the day. They exhibit haymaking behavior, collecting and drying vegetation to store for winter consumption. Feeding activity peaks in the morning and late afternoon to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Behavior
Royle's pika is diurnal and lives in small family groups within rocky territories, where they defend against intruders with high-pitched alarm calls. They are known for haymaking, stockpiling dried plants for winter survival, and are generally solitary outside of breeding season. This species is agile, using rock crevices for escape and remaining active year-round without hibernating.
Conservation Status
Royle's pika is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, but populations may be declining due to climate change and habitat loss from warming temperatures.