CONTENTS

Living Organisms / Animalia / Craniata / Mammalia / Lagomorpha / Ochotonidae / Ochotona / Species

Ochotona collaris - Collared pika (Click photographs/illustrations for full picture & further details)

INDEX - INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Specific Ochotona collaris information

• Other common names reported for this pika include:
  • Cony
  • Rock cony
  • Rock rabbit
  • Mouse hare
  • Whistling hare
  • Little chief hare
  • Piping hare
  (B430.w2)
• Lagomys collaris. (J469.281.w1)

General pika information

• The name pika originated from the Tungus of Siberia who attempted to mimic the call "peeka" of the local pika species. (B285.w5g)
• The generic name of Ochotona is derived from the Mongolian name for pikas: "ogdoi". (B285.w5g)
• Mouse hares or conies are alternative names for pikas. (B147)
• "Pishchukha" is the Russian common name for all species of pika and some gerbils (Rhombomys opimus, Meriones tamareiscinus (Muridae - (Family)). (B605.3.w3)

Names for new-borns / juveniles

Names for males

Names for females

General Appearance

Adult: 

• The collared pika is a grey, medium sized pika. (B605.3.w3)

General pika information

• Pikas are small, egg-shaped, rodent-like lagomorphs which weigh under 500 g. They have rounded, relatively large ears, short legs, and a very short tail which is hardly visible. (B285.w5g; B430.w2)

Newborn:

• Young at near-adult size have clear grey pelage while the adults have a brown tinge around the head and neck by this time of the year (late July). (J469.281.w1)

General pika information

• Newborn pikas are helpless and naked (B147, B287) or slightly furred. (B287)

Similar Species

• Its diploid chromosome number of 68;
• The skull is relatively broad with a correspondingly flat and broad interorbital region;
• The frontal bones have no fenestrae.

Similar pika species to the Collared pika and some of their differentiating features include the following:

• Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika
  • Diploid chromosome number of 42 
• Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika
  • Diploid chromosome number of 40

(B605.3.w3; B607.w20) 

In North America

• Ochotona princeps - American pika is the only other pika found in North America. The ranges of this pika and Ochotona collaris are separated by an eight hundred kilometre hiatus that extends through Alberta and British Columbia in Canada. (B430.w2)
• The two species can be differentiated by the following characteristic features of Ochotona collaris:
  • Greyish patches on the shoulders and nape forming an indistinct collar. (B430.w2)
  • On each side of the face there is a creamy-buff patch of fur over the facial gland (this is rusty brown in Ochotona princeps). (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)
  • Ochotona princeps - American pika moults twice a year whereas Ochotona collaris moults just once a year. (B430.w2)
  • Ochotona princeps - American pika has the same diploid chromosome number of 68 but differentiated on the basis of craniometric data including the fact that its skull is slightly rounded in profile; (B605.3.w3; B607.w20)
  • The male Ochotona princeps - American pika has a chattering long call which is lacking in the Collared pika. (B605.3.w3; B607.w20)

Sexual Dimorphism

• Male and female pikas are similar in size and can be difficult to tell apart from one another. (B147)

References

Species Authors & Referees

• See: DIRECTORY- Organisations working with Rabbits and their Relatives

• Rabbits, Hares and Pikas Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan
• See also: The Electronic Library- further reading for "Rabbits and their Relatives: Health & Management"

Husbandry Information

Notes

• --

Management Techniques

• Accommodation Design for Mammals
• Mammal Behavioural Requirements
• Food and Feeding for Mammals
• Mammal Handling & Movement
• Mammal Identification
• Preventative Medicine for Mammals
• Rearing of Mammals
• Reproductive Management of Mammals
• Management of Unwanted or Illegally Held Animals

Measurement & Weight

Notes

General pika information

• Pikas are small mammals. (B285.w5g)

Specific Collared pika information

• The collared pika is a medium-sized pika species. (B605.3.w3)

LENGTH
Adult: 

Specific Collared pika information

• Ochotona collaris measures 178-198 mm, average 189 mm (total length). (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)

Newborns: --

HEIGHT
Adults and sub-adults: --
Juveniles: --

WEIGHT
Adult: 

Specific Collared pika information

• Ochotona collaris: 117-145 g (mean 129 g) (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)

Newborns:

General pika information

• Newborn pikas weigh about 9 g. (B147)
  • Range 4.1 - 12.7 g, depending on species. (B287)

GROWTH RATE:

Specific Collared pika information

• The young reach adult size in forty to fifty days. (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)

Head and Neck

Notes

GENERAL HEAD STRUCTURE:
Adult:

• Skull:
  • General pika information: In general, the head of pikas is blunt and short, and the skull is quite flattened rather than arched. There is also a constriction between the orbits. (B147)
  •  
  • The skull of Ochotona collaris is relatively broad with a correspondingly flat and broad interorbital region. (B605.3.w3)
  • The frontal bones have no fenestrae. (B605.3.w3)
• Ears: 
  • General pika information: Pikas have small, rounded ears which are 12-36 mm in length. (B147; B285.w5g)
• Nostrils: 
  • General pika information: Pikas can completely close their nostrils. (B147)
• Vibrissae:
  • General pika information: These are longer in the rock dwelling pikas such as this species, than in burrowing pikas. (B605.3.w3)

Newborn: --

DENTITION

• There are 26 teeth in total - two less than other lagomorphs who have one more upper molar on each side. (B285.w5a, B605.1.w1)
• The dental formula of pikas is 2/1 incisors, 0/0 canines, 3/2 premolars, and 2/3 molars. (B147, B605.1.w1)

Incisors

• Lagomorphs, including pikas, differ from rodents by having two pairs of upper incisors rather than just the one pair. The additional set of incisors are called peg teeth and are found directly behind the long pair in the upper jaw. (B147, B285.w5a, B605.1.w1)
• At birth, lagomorphs actually have three pairs of upper incisors, but they quickly lose the outer incisor on each side. (B147)
• The incisors are covered completely by enamel. (B147)
• The upper incisors' roots are found in the skull's premaxillary bones. However, the length of the lower incisors' roots varies. (B147)
  • [Note: lagomorphs have teeth which grow throughout their lives. For this reason the portion of the teeth which is not exposed (not above the gum line) is strictly speaking not a "root"; however, it is sometimes convenient to describe it as a root.]
• The first upper incisors have a cutting edge which is V-shaped. (B147)
• The peg teeth lack a cutting edge. (B147)

Molars

• Pikas have high crowned cheek teeth with no roots [the teeth grow continuously throughout life]. (B147)
• The lower tooth rows are closer together than the upper tooth rows. (B147)

EYES:

General pika information

• Adult: Pikas have eyes positioned to give a broad field of vision (B285.w5a)
• Newborn: Neonates are blind; the eyes open at eight to ten days. (B287)
  • Neonatal Ochotona collaris are blind. (B430.w2)

Legs, Spine and Tracks

Notes

• Pikas have short legs. (B285.w5g)
• The hindlimbs are just slightly longer than the forelimbs. (B147, B430.w2, B605.2.w2)
• They have five digits on each foot. (B147)
• The feet are heavily furred on the underside. (B147)
• In rock dwelling pikas, such as this species, the claws are more curved and less powerful than those of the burrowing pikas. (B605.3.w3)

Specific Collared pika information

• Ochotona collaris hindfoot length 29 -31 mm, with five digits on each forefoot (first digit weakly reduced) and four digits per hindfoot. The soles of the ffet are covered in log hairs, but generally the digital pads are exposed. (J469.281.w1)

Tail

Notes

• The tail of ochotona collaris is "inconspicuous." (J469.281.w1)

Ochotona spp. general information:

• The tail of pikas is virtually absent at a length of 5 mm (B285.w5g); it is not visible. (B147; B430.w2)

Skin / Coat / Pelage

Notes

Adult: 

• This species is a grey pika with greyish patches on the shoulders and nape forming an indistinct collar. Ventrally, the coat is a creamy white. (B430.w2, B605.3.w3)

  • On each side of the face there is a creamy-buff patch of fur over the facial gland. (B430.w2)

• Unlike most pika species (B147), this species has just one moult per year. (B430.w2)

• General pika information:
  • Pikas have fine, long, soft and dense coat with fur that covers the feet including the under surface. (B147, B285.w5g)
  • Most pikas are lighter ventrally than dorsally. (B285.w5g)

• Pikas have fine, long, soft and dense coat with fur that covers the feet including the under surface. (B147, B285.w5g)
• Most pikas are lighter ventrally than dorsally. (B285.w5g)

Adult Colour variations: --

Newborn/Juvenile:

General pika information

• Newborns are nearly naked. (B147; B430.w2)

Detailed Anatomy Notes
(Summary information provided for pertinent species-specific data cross-referenced in Wildpro)

Notes

Skeleton:

Specific Collared pika information

• Ochotona collaris has a well-developed clavicle and no pubic symphysis. The skull is flat with a strong constriction between the orbits, lacking a supraorbital process, and with a slender zygomatic arch which is not expanded vertically. (J469.281.w1)

Mammary glands:

Ochotona spp. general information

• Females have four or six mammary glands. (B147)

Female reproductive tract:

Ochotona spp. general information

• The uterus is duplex. The placenta is discoid, deciduate and hemochorial,with a mesometrial, superficial implantation. (B287)

Male reproductive tract:

• Ochotona collaris lacks a scrotum; the position of the testes "is not externally evident." (J469.281.w1)
• Note: "anal and genital orifices enclosed by a common sphincter and with a common opening on apex of hairy, mobile prominence supported by slender rod of tail vertebrae." (J469.281.w1)

Ochotona spp. general information

• Testes:
  • The testes are intra-abdominal outside the breeding season. (B147, B287)
  • During the breeding season they are found in folds of skin at the base of the penis. (B147)
• Penis:
  • Lagomorphs do not have a baculum. (B147)

Scent glands:

Ochotona spp. general information

• Pikas have scent glands, as do all lagomorphs. (B285.w5a)

Natural Diet

Notes

NATURAL DIET:

General pika information

• Pikas are herbivorous - they eat grasses, flowering stalks, and leaves. Pikas have a preference for those plants highest in protein or other chemicals important to them. (B285.w5g)

• Pikas eat a range of vegetable matter: "in the summer and early autumn the animals gather grasses, sedges, weeds, and many of the large flowering and woody plants, sometimes climbing a few meters up in trees and out on limbs to cut twigs. The material is sometimes place in exposed locations for curing by the sun"; many populations create haystacks to store food for winter. (B147)

Specific Collared pika information:

• Although the Collared pika is a generalised herbivore, it is apparently selective of the plants that it stores in its haypiles. (B605.3.w3)
• In hay piles, Cystopteris fragilis, Lycopodium sp., Carex sp., Sanguisorba sitchensis, Cassiope stellariana, Luetkea pectinata, Epilobium latifolium, Ledum palustre, Vaccinium vitis-idae, Empetrum nigrum, Salix sp. and Betula kenaica were all found. (J469.281.w1)
• One study noted that while most of the plants commonly found in an area would be utilised, Dryas sp. was used most extensively. (J469.281.w1)
• It has been noted that dry faecal pellets of Marmota caligata - Hoary marmot (Marmota - (Genus)) can be found on Ochotona collaris haypilas and than these pikas have been seen to eat such droppings. (J469.281.w1)

QUANTITY EATEN: --

STUDY METHODS:

• Analysis of hay piles. (J469.281.w1)

Hibernation / Aestivation

Notes

• Pikas do not hibernate. (B147, B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)
• Ochotona collaris does not hibernate. (J469.281.w1)

Haematology / Biochemistry

Notes

HAEMATOLOGY: --

BIOCHEMISTRY: --

Detailed Physiology Notes
(Summary information provided for pertinent species-specific data cross-referenced in WILDPro)

Notes

METABOLISM (TEMPERATURE): 

General pika information

• Pikas have a high body temperature. (B285.w5g)

Specific Collared pika information

• Deep body temperature for Ochotona collaris has been measured at 39 °C. (J469.281.w1)

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (RESPIRATION):--

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM (PULSE/HEART RATE):--

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM (FAECES AND GUT MOTILITY):

General pika information

• Jaw motion: Pikas have a vertical or transverse jaw motion. (B147); pikas use a side-to-side jaw motion. (B285.w5g)
• Coprophagy: Pikas produce two types of faeces, hard faeces like pepper seeds - small green spherical pellets - which are passed during the day; and soft faeces, sticky and dark green/black, passed at night. Faeces of the latter type have high a energy value and B vitamin levels, and are re-ingested. This behaviour, known as coprophagy, may have a similar function to the ruminant behaviour of chewing the cud. (B147, B285.w5a)

URINARY SYSTEM (URINE):--

CHROMOSOMES:

• Diploid chromosome number is 68. This is the same as Ochotona princeps - American pika and Ochotona pusilla - Steppe pika. (B605.3.w3, B607.w20, J469.281.w1) 
  • The diploid chromosome numbers in the similar species of Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika and Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika are 42 and 40 respectively. (B605.3.w3, J469.281.w1)

MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM:

SPECIAL SENSES AND VOCALISATIONS:

• Pikas are known to be more vocal than other lagomorphs. (B285.w5a)
• Rock dwelling pikas, such as this species, tend to have only two vocalisations: 
  • a short call which usually contains one or two note squeaks, used for announcing their presence or warning others of predators;
  • and a long call used by males during the breeding season which is "a series of squeaks lasting up to 30 seconds". Some rock dwellers rarely vocalise even weak calls. (B285.w5g)

• Scent glands

  • Pikas have scent glands, as do all lagomorphs. (B285.w5a)
  • They communicate by depositing scent onto rocks from "the enlarged apocrine gland complex found on their cheeks". It is possible for pikas to discriminate among individuals by the odours from these scent marks. 
  • The two functions of this behaviour are:
    • territory maintenance and possibly advertisement.
    • sexual advertisement leading on to mating.
    (B605.3.w3)

• Pikas have acute vision. (B430.w2)
• This is a very vocal species with loud short calls used by all ages and both sexes. (B430.w2, B605.3.w3, J469.281.w1)
  • They call from fairly fixed points within their home ranges, sitting with body hunched and nose pointing upward slightly. They also call while hay gathering - the pika will deposit a mouthful of plants then give one or two calls. (J469.281.w1)
  • Calls have been described as "short, sharp bark", "nasal bleat", or a "yink" or "enk" with a "metallic twang"; this is audible for some distance. (J469.281.w1)
  • Adults and juveniles (males and females) give a short call (once to three times); adult males also use a series of strong "kie" calls."
  • Other sounds reported include chattering, repeated clicking of the teeth by male when excited in the breeding season, female oestrous calls, submission calls and repeated weak calls of males when they are appraoching females. (J469.281.w1)
• This species has keen hearing. (B430.w2)
• The calls are thought to function as alarms during the defence of territory and also as signals for sexual recognition during the mating season. (B430.w2)
• It does not have the chattering long call which is characteristically used by Ochotona princeps - American pika and most Asian pikas. However, male Collared pikas use strong successive calls during the breeding season and apparently these calls play the role of the long calls used by other pika species. (B605.3.w3)

Feeding Behaviour

Notes

• Pikas are unable to grasp plants with their forepaws; they eat with a side-to-side jaw motion and carry vegetation in their mouths. (B285.w5g)

General pika information

• In spring, summer and/or autumn (fall) (depending on species/location) many pika species spend much time "haying" - harvesting mouthfuls of vegetation which are carried back to the den for storage. They build up these stores, resembling piles of hay, and use them for consumption during periods of sparse vegetation, often over-harvesting so that it is a rare occurrence for them to run out of food. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3) 
• Pika species living in areas where winter snow is common may also make tunnels in the snow to reach and harvest any nearby vegetation. (B285.w5g)
• Some species continue to forage throughout winter rather than haying, because snows are uncommon. (B285.w5g)
• Even at a fairly low population density of ten to twelve pikas per hectare, vegetation storage by pikas may be up to 30 kg per hectare. (B605.3.w3)

• This species stores food in caches which is typical of most pikas. Although it is a generalised herbivore, it is apparently selective of the plants that it stores in its haypiles. (B605.3.w3)
• Hay gathering starts late June/early July and occupies increasing amounts of the pika's time. (J469.281.w1)
• Several haypiles may be made, often with one main haypile but other smaller caches. (J469.281.w1)
• Haypiles tend to be built in the same places each year. (B605.3.w3, J469.281.w1)
  • Often haypiles are built under an overhanging rock, in a crevice or along the edge of a boulder. Where the shelter is larger, the haypile tends to be larger. (J469.281.w1)
• Materials collected for the haypiles include leaves, weeds, sedges, grasses, and other vegetation and also dried faecal material of other species. (B430.w2)

Parental Behaviour

Notes

Social Behaviour / Territoriality / Predation / Learning

Notes

Home Ranges and Distances Travelled 

• Ochotona collaris home range is about 30 m diameter (700 m²). (J469.281.w1)

Social

General pika information

• The rock dwelling pikas are often relatively asocial.  (B605.3.w3)

• It is rare that they interact and usually it is to repel an intruder if they do so. (B285.w5g)

• Even in a pair of pikas which are contributing to a shared hay pile, they spend a large part of the day apart. (B285.w5g)

Ochotona collaris specific information:

• Adult male and female pikas of this species live separately for the majority of the year. (B147)
• The social behaviour of this species has not yet been fully investigated but is said to be similar to the social system of Ochotona princeps - American pika (B605.3.w3):

Territoriality

General pika information

• Pikas are highly territorial lagomorphs; both sexes use scent marking and vocalisations to maintain territories. (B605.1.w1)

• The rock- dwelling pikas have large territories defended by the individual (in North American species) or defended in pairs (Asian species). (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)

• The population density is low, at 5-25 per acre, and reasonably stable over a period of time. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)

  • Population densities of pikas in rocky areas do not usually reach more than 20 per hectare. (B147)

Ochotona collaris specific information:

• Adults of this species occupy individually defended territories on the talus, usually at the talus-meadow interface. (B605.3.w3)
• Territoriality is highly developed in this species. Each adult pika will usually have a home range that includes a patch of talus with an adjacent area of vegetation and much of this range will be vigorously defended. The adjacent home ranges are usually occupied by members of different sexes. (B147)
• An individual pika will defend its territory for most of the year against all other pikas. However, during the breeding season, male pikas usually increase the size of their territories to include the territory of at least one female, and then for a while, the pair will defend a joint territory against other pikas. (B430.w2)
• Distance between territory centres: ranges from 30 to 70 metres. (B605.3.w3, J469.281.w1)
• Population density:
  • from 6.4 to 7.2 animals per hectare. (B605.3.w3)
  • average of around 15 / ha. (B147)
  • In Alaska, the maximum population density was reported as 24 /ha. (B147)

Predation

• Occasionally, the scats of Mustela erminea - Stoat and Marmota caligata - Hoary marmot (Marmota - (Genus)) have been found on haypiles. (B605.3.w3)
  • The primary predator of this species is thought to be the ermine (Mustela erminea). (B430.w2) Other predators include:
    • Large birds of prey (Accipitridae - Eagles, Hawks, Osprey (Family) and Strigidae - Typical owls (Family))
    • Vulpes vulpes - Red fox
    • Martes americana - American marten (Martes - (Genus)
    (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)
• Other small mammals found in association with this species include:
  • Marmota caligata - Hoary marmot (Marmota - (Genus));
  • Arctic ground squirrels (Spermophilus parryii) (Sciuridae - Squirrels, Marmots etc.)
  • Clethrionomys rutilus - Northern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys - (Genus))
  (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)

Sexual Behaviour

Notes

• In general, it appears that pikas are monogamous. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)

Activity Patterns, Self-grooming and Navigation

Notes

ACTIVITY PATTERNS:

• This species has been reported agile climbers. (B430.w2)
• Hay gathering starts late June/early July and occupies increasing amounts of the pika's time. (J469.281.w1)
• General pika information: Pikas are agile and lively (B285.w5g)

• Pikas are agile and lively (B285.w5g)

SELF-GROOMING: --

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM:

Ochotona collaris specific information:

• This species is diurnal and spends the majority of the day foraging and collecting food for winter caches. (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)

  • They are most active morning and late afternoon. (J469.281.w1)

• A small part of the day is spent basking or sunning on exposed rocks. (B430.w2, J469.281.w1)

• Although pikas inhabit areas that have long, harsh winters, they do not hibernate. Instead they spend the warmer months creating haypiles that are then used as food stores during winter. (B430.w2)

General pika information:

• Pikas are mainly active by day. They are well-adapted to the cold and sensitive to even moderately warm conditions, therefore they tend to be active only during the cooler parts of the day. (B285.w5g)
• Pikas may be active at all hours, in particular, early morning and evenings. It seems that they are less active on sunny days compared with cloudy days. (B147)
• Pikas which live at high altitudes may be active all day, whereas pikas at warmer, lower altitudes emerge only in the morning and evening. (B285.w5g)

SPEED OF MOVEMENT: --

NAVIGATION: --

General Habitat Type

Notes

• The collared pika lives in remote mountains of western North America. (B605.3.w3)
• Mainly found on talus slopes, rock slides, and around large boulders, generally near patches of vegetation and meadows. They are most numerous near the edges of rock slides or talus slopes (J469.281.w1)
• Somtimes they are found in forested valleys and even near to sea level; one was reported in a burrow near the shore of a lake. (J469.281.w1)

General pika information

• In general, most species of pikas live in remote high mountains and wild country and are well adapted to the cold. Pikas have become well adapted to living in rocky steppe and alpine habitats. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)

Nests / Burrows / Shelters

Notes

• Rock dwelling pikas such as this species nest among rocks or fallen logs. (B285.w5g)

Ochotona collaris specific information

• This species is a typical rock/talus dwelling pika. (B147, B605.3.w3)
• The home range of this species usually includes an area of talus for shelter amongst the rocks, and an adjacent meadow or patch of vegetation for foraging. (B147, B430.w2)

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Notes

In the mountains of:

• USA:

  • South eastern Alaska. (B285.w5i, B430.w2, B605.3.w3, B607.w20)

    • from west and northwest of Cook Inlet, southeast almost to Skagway. (B430.w2)

  • Brooks Range of the Alaskan Arctic (but this information comes from unverified reports). (B430.w2)

  • "In the mountains of central and southern Alaska from the Yukon-Tanana uplands and the Chigmit mountains, west of Cook Inlet, to the head of Lynn Canal near Skagway." (J469.281.w1)

• Canada:

  • North western British Columbia, southern Yukon, WC Mackenzie. (B285.w5i, B605.3.w3, B607.w20)

    • From the Yukon Arctic south to the north-western region of British Columbia, and then west to into the Northwest Territories near to the Mackenzie River. (B430.w2)

  • "from the Richardson Mountains north of the Arctic Circle in Yukon and the District of Mackenzie, south into northwestern British Columbia and west to near the Mackenzie River in Northwest Territories." (J469.281.w1)

• Of the 30 species of pika, only two are found in North America - this species and Ochotona princeps - American pika; the rest are found across Asia. (B285.w5a)

Altitude distribution

• This species is found from 90 m to 4,100 m, which is above the tree line (B147); they are most frequently found above the tree line. (B430.w2)

Species variation

Notes

The Collared pika is a monotypic species. (B605.3.w3)

Formerly considered a subspecies of:

• Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika: both North American forms of pikas (Ochotona collaris and Ochotona princeps - American pika) and Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika, were originally included in this species but they have all since been accepted as separate species on the basis of morphological and chromosomal differences. (B147, B605.3.w3, B607.w20)
• Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika (B605.3.w3)
• Ochotona princeps - American pika, but the Collared pika is now considered a distinct species on the basis of craniometric data. (B147, B605.3.w3, B607.w20)

Conservation Status

Notes

WILD POPULATION - IMPORTANCE:

General pika information: pikas are important for the following reasons:

• They act as prey for many birds and mammals. (B605.3.w3)
• Haypiles created by pikas may provide winter food for domestic cows and horses and also native species such as ungulates or smaller herbivores. (B605.3.w3)
  (B605.3.w3)

GENERAL LEGISLATION:

• "Currently no species or forms of Ochotona are treated on any national list of endangered or threatened wildlife." (B605.3.w3)

CITES LISTING:

• There are currently no Ochotona species CITES-listed. (W354.April08.w1)

RED-DATA LIST STATUS: 

• IUCN - Lower risk/least concern. (W2.Apr08.w40)

THREATS:

Ochotona collaris specific information

• This species inhabits remote areas and therefore is not likely to be negatively influenced by human activity. (B605.3.w3)

General pika information

• In general, the status of many species of pika is hard to assess because they inhabit such remote areas. (B285.w5g)
• Many species of pika inhabit very restricted ranges and so may be threatened by human environmental disruption. (B147)

PEST STATUS / PEST POPULATIONS:

• General pika information: Due to their remote habitat, most pikas "rarely come into conflict with human economic activity." (B147)

CAPTIVE POPULATIONS: --

TRADE AND USE: --