Wildlifeof Nepal
Nubra pika
Pangolins, Treeshrews, Shrews & Gymnures
Photo: (c) Johannes S., some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Ochotona nubrica
Basic stats
Diet
Generalist herbivore, including honeysuckle, willow and Caragana
Habitat
Dense, thorny vegetation, avoiding rocky talus; digs simple burrows
Range
Himalayas from Ladakh through Tibet and Nepal's Himali region; Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan
The Nubra pika is a small diurnal mammal whose coat changes colour with season and region, ranging from grey to brownish red. In summer it is pale grey to brownish red with black hairs scattered through the coat, and in winter the fur is longer and a more uniform grey. The ears are largely black with white edges and a pale patch on the back (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is widely distributed across the Himalayas, from Ladakh through Tibet and the Himali region of Nepal. Unlike the rock-dwelling large-eared pika that shares its range, it is a burrower that avoids rocky talus and lives in dense vegetation, digging simple burrows where the vegetation is thick and thorny. It is a generalist herbivore. Nationally Data Deficient (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Nubra pika eat?
- Generalist herbivore, including honeysuckle, willow and Caragana
- What habitat does the Nubra pika live in?
- Dense, thorny vegetation, avoiding rocky talus; digs simple burrows
- Where is the Nubra pika found?
- Himalayas from Ladakh through Tibet and Nepal's Himali region; Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan