Wildlifeof Nepal
Large-eared pika
Pangolins, Treeshrews, Shrews & Gymnures
Photo: (c) Jan Ebr & Ivana Ebrová, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Ochotona macrotis
Basic stats
Diet
Grasses and other vegetation, twigs, lichens and mosses
Habitat
Crevices among shattered rock and scree in mountains
Range
Mountains of Afghanistan, Tibet, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Central Asia
Litter size
2–3 young, usually two litters a year
Gestation period
About 30 days
Size
15–20.4cm
The large-eared pika is a small mammal with brownish-grey fur tinged with ochre, a reddish tinge on the forehead, cheeks and shoulders that is clearer in summer, and greyish-white underparts. All four legs are about the same length and the feet are furred, soles included. An adult is 15 to 20.4cm long (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is diurnal and herbivorous, eating grasses, twigs, lichens and mosses, and some populations make haypiles of dried grass for the winter. It does not make a burrow but lives in crevices among shattered rock and scree. There are usually two litters a year of two to three young after about 30 days of gestation. Predators include carnivorous mammals and birds of prey. Nationally Data Deficient (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Large-eared pika eat?
- Grasses and other vegetation, twigs, lichens and mosses
- What habitat does the Large-eared pika live in?
- Crevices among shattered rock and scree in mountains
- Where is the Large-eared pika found?
- Mountains of Afghanistan, Tibet, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Central Asia
- What is the litter size of the Large-eared pika?
- 2–3 young, usually two litters a year
- How long is the gestation period of the Large-eared pika?
- About 30 days
- How big is the Large-eared pika?
- 15–20.4cm