CONTENTS

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

Ochotona nubrica - Nubra pika (Click photographs/illustrations for full picture & further details)

INDEX - INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Specific Ochotona nubrica information

• This pika has also been given the alternative names of:
• Ochotona aliensis
• Ochotona hodgsoni
• Ochotona lhasaensis
• Ochotona lama.  

(B605.3.w3; B607.w20)

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:

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)

• The upperparts of this pika are a sandy brown, with a distinct light patch on the external surface of the ear. Ventrally, the coat is paler grey with a buffy colour extending distinctively down along the ventral midline. (B605.3.w3)

Newborn:

General pika information

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

Similar Species

• Ochotona curzoniae - Plateau pika 
• Ochotona pusilla - Steppe pika
• Ochotona roylei - Royle's pika
• Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika

• The skull is larger than that of Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika and smaller than that of Ochotona roylei - Royle's pika. (B605.3.w3)
• The coat of the Nubra pika distinguishes it from Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika which has a brownish grey coat instead of dull brown. The Moupin pika also lacks the light patch on the external surface of the ears that is found in the Nubra pika. (B605.3.w3)
• Specimens of Ochotona nubrica lhasaensis were recorded as being much paler than Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika with a winter coat that resembles that of Ochotona curzoniae - Plateau pika much more so than the Moupin pika's coat. (B605.3.w3)

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

• The external measurements of the Nubra pika average larger than Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika. (B605.3.w3)

General pika information

LENGTH

General pika information
Adult: 

• Pikas measure 120-300 mm. 
  • 120-285 mm. (B285.w5g)
  • 125-300 mm, with most species averaging around 200 mm or less. (B147)
• Males and females are similar in size. (B147)

Newborns: --

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

WEIGHT
Adult:

General pika information

• Pikas weigh 50-400 g
  • 50-350 g. (B285.w5g)
  • 125-400 g. (B147)

Newborns:

General pika information

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

GROWTH RATE:--

Head and Neck

Notes

GENERAL HEAD STRUCTURE:
Adult:

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)

Specific Ochotona nubrica information

• The skull of the Nubra pika is fairly flat, relatively narrow but with a short rostrum and a fairly broad interorbital region. 
• The skull is larger than that of Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika and smaller than that of Ochotona roylei - Royle's pika. 
• The foramina of the palate are widely expanded posteriorly.
• The bullae are relatively narrow and small.

(B605.3.w3)

• General pika information: Pikas have small, rounded ears which are 12-36 mm in length. (B147; B285.w5g)

• General pika information: Pikas can completely close their nostrils. (B147)

• General pika information: These are shorter in burrowing pikas, such as this species, compared to rock dwelling 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)

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 burrowing pikas, such as this species, the claws are more straight and powerful than those of the rock dwelling pikas. (B605.3.w3)

Tail

Notes

• 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: 

• 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)
• Most species have two moults per year with a brighter summer coat - often a yellowish red - and a greyer winter coat. (B147)
• Most pikas are a greyish-brown. (B285.w5g)

• Dorsal coat: sandy brownish.
• Ventral coat: paler grey coat with a buffy colour extending distinctively down along the ventral midline.
• Ears: a distinct light patch on the external surface of the ear.

(B605.3.w3)

Adult Colour variations:

Specific Ochotona nubrica information

• "Degree of saturation of pelage color appears (in the few specimens available) to vary clinally from west to east."
  • Specimens from Kashmir (Ochotona nubrica nubrica) are the palest while those of Ochotona nubrica lhasaensis from northern Nepal and the region of Lhasa, are darker with a richer, sandy coat dorsally and they have more black guard hairs intermixed.
  • Specimens of Ochotona nubrica lhasaensis were recorded as being much paler than Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika with a winter coat that resembles that of Ochotona curzoniae - Plateau pika much more so than the Moupin pika's coat.

(B605.3.w3)

Newborn/Juvenile:

• Newborn pikas are hairless (B147, B287) or slightly furred. (B287)

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

Notes

• Mammary glands:
  • Females have four or six mammary glands. (B147)
• Female reproductive tract:
  • The uterus is duplex. The placenta is discoid, deciduate and hemochorial,with a mesometrial, superficial implantation. (B287)
• Male reproductive tract:
  • 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: 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)

QUANTITY EATEN: --

STUDY METHODS: --

Hibernation / Aestivation

Notes

• Pikas do not hibernate. (B147, B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)

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)

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: --

MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM: --

SPECIAL SENSES AND VOCALISATIONS:

General pika information

• Pikas are known to be more vocal than other lagomorphs. (B285.w5a)

• Burrowing pikas, such as the Nubra pika, have a vast range of calls: 

  • Rapidly repeated soft short predator alarm call;

  • Long calls used by adult males;

  • Whines and trills;

  • Muffle and transition calls used by young pikas, which are thought to promote cohesion among siblings.

(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)

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)

• 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)

Parental Behaviour

Notes

• In the burrowing pikas, the young may form a line behind an adult, usually their father, and follow. (B285.w5g)

Social Behaviour / Territoriality / Predation / Learning

Notes

Note: The Nubra pika is thought to be a burrowing pika rather than a rock dwelling species. (B605.3.w3)

General pika information

Social behaviour:

• Burrowing pikas or steppe dwelling pikas general information

  • These pikas are very friendly, sociable mammals that live within family groups where they may play-box, sit in contact, nose rub and spend time socially grooming. (B285.w5g)

  • Communal dens house family groups which includes siblings of different ages. (B285.w5g)

  • The young may follow behind an adult, usually their father, in a line. (B285.w5g)

  • However, there may be aggression between members of different family groups, in particular, long chases of adult males occur. (B285.w5g)

Population density:

• Burrowing pikas or steppe dwelling pikas general information

  • Population densities of burrowing steppe dwellers are often much higher than that of the rock dwellers but they are also prone to fluctuate more widely. (B147)

  • The population density may be greater than 750 per acre towards the end of the breeding season but this may fluctuate greatly both annually and seasonally. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)

  • The maximum density of some steppe pikas is reported to exceed 300 per hectare. (B147)

Sexual Behaviour

Notes

• In general, it appears that pikas are monogamous. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)
• Burrowing pikas: The mating system may be flexible: polygynous, polygynous, complex (several male and female), and polyandrous adult associations have been observed side by side. This last relationship is rare in mammals, but in the pika “two males from the same burrow may be seen alternately mating with the resident female and then sitting side by side or grooming one another, even while the female is in estrus - apparently an adaptation to maximize reproductive rates in face of harsh environmental conditions.” (B285.w5g)

Activity Patterns, Self-grooming and Navigation

Notes

ACTIVITY PATTERNS: 

General pika information

• Pikas are agile and lively (B285.w5g)

SELF-GROOMING: --

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM: 

• Mainly active by day. Pikas 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

• Most 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)
• Some species inhabit moist forest areas, living under stumps of trees or fallen logs. (B147)

Specific Ochotona nubrica information

• "According to the collectors of the type series, the nubra pika inhabits "thick jungle or scrub," by which they presumably mean subalpine or alpine shrubs, implying that this is a burrowing, rather than a talus-dwelling species. 
  • Ochotona macrotis - Large-eared pika, "a talus inhabitant, was also reported to occur in the same area."
  • "In Nepal, the subspecies O. nubrica lhasaensis lives in alpine steppe habitat and also seems to be a burrowing form".

  (B605.3.w3)

Nests / Burrows / Shelters

Notes

• "According to the collectors of the type series, the nubra pika inhabits "thick jungle or scrub," by which they presumably mean subalpine or alpine shrubs, implying that this is a burrowing, rather than a talus-dwelling species. 
  • Ochotona macrotis - Large-eared pika, "a talus inhabitant, was also reported to occur in the same area."
  • "In Nepal, the subspecies O. nubrica lhasaensis lives in alpine steppe habitat and also seems to be a burrowing form".

(B605.3.w3)

General pika information

• In general, burrowing pikas dig burrows in open alpine meadow, semi desert or steppe environments. (B285.w5g)
• It is common for burrows to be shared with birds or small mammals. (B605.3.w3)

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Notes

Specific Ochotona nubrica information

• This is "a trans-Himalayan species with a narrow range". (B605.3.w3)

• The southern edge of the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau from Ladakh in India, through Nepal to eastern Xizang in China.

(B285.w5i; B605.3.w3; B607.w20)

Sympatric with:

• Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika the nearest populations of this species are:

  •  Ochotona thibetana sikimaria "on the more temperate moist southern slope of the Himalayas".

  • Ochotona thibetana nangqenica "from the forested headwaters of the great rivers (Mekong, etc.) that originate on the southeast corner of the Tibetan plateau".

• Ochotona macrotis - Large-eared pika, "a talus inhabitant, was also reported to occur in the same area."

(B605.3.w3)

Species variation

Notes

Specific Ochotona nubrica information

Currently recognised subspecies include:

• Ochotona nubrica lhasaensis; also known as Ochotona nubrica lama
• Ochotona nubrica nubrica; also known as Ochotona nubrica aliensis; Ochotona nubrica hodgsoni)

(B607.w20)

NB: names in non-bold font are reported as synonyms for that particular subspecies from the reference B607.w20.

Ochotona nubrica is now considered a distinct species but has formerly been considered a subspecies of:

• Ochotona pusilla - Steppe pika
• Ochotona roylei - Royle's pika:
  • the subsequent reassignment was based on zoogeographic grounds and thorough comparisons of museum specimens. 
  • It was the form Ochotona lama which was originally assigned to the Royle's pika but it is now considered a subspecies of the Nubra pika (as a synonym of lhasaensis). 
  • The form hodgsoni was also traditionally assigned to the Royle's pika but was reassigned as a synonym of the Nubra pika based on the original description.
• Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika: 
  • Ochotona nubrica was previously assigned to this pika as Ochotona thibetana lama.  
  • The aliensis race was also formerly assigned to this pika but is now considered a subspecies of the Nubra pika.
  • The forms Ochotona lama and Ochotona thibetana aliensis were combined as Ochotona thibetana lama in one study.

(B605.3.w3; B607.w20) 

Notes:

• "Given the scarcity of available specimens, it is possible that further collecting will demonstrate an intergradation between O. n. lhasaensis and O. t. nangqenica. However, based on existing data, we recognize them as distinct species".(B605.3.w3)
• The Nubra pika's closest relations were originally thought to be with Ochotona thibetana - Moupin pika but one study showed that they are in fact with Ochotona curzoniae - Plateau pika. (B607.w20)

Conservation Status

Notes

General pika information

In general, pikas are important for the following reasons:

• They act as prey for many birds and mammals. 
• Haypiles created by pikas may provide winter food for domestic cows and horses and also native species such as ungulates or smaller herbivores.
• By recycling soil, burrowing pikas have a positive contribution to ecosystem-level dynamics. 
  (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:

Specific Ochotona nubrica information 

• IUCN - Lower risk/least concern. (W2.Apr08.w57)

THREATS:

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: --