CONTENTS

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

Ochotona turuchanensis - Turuchan pika (Click photographs/illustrations for full picture & further details)

INDEX - INFORMATION AVAILABLE

Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Specific Ochotona turuchanensis information

• This species is newly recognised. It was formerly included as a subspecies of Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika as Ochotona hyperborea turuchanensis. (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

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)

Newborn:

General pika information

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

Similar Species

• The closely-related Ochotona hyperborea has a diploid chromosome number of 40 which along with morphological differences, helps differentiate it from other similar species of pikas. (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

• Pikas are small mammals. (B285.w5g)

General pika information

LENGTH
Adult: 

General pika information

• 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:

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 closely-related Ochotona hyperborea has no fenestrae in the frontal bones and, as in Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika, the anterior palative foramina are completely separated from the incisive foramina. (B605.3.w3)
  • Compared with the similar species of Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika, Ochotona hyperborea has:
    • a shorter and more rounded skull;
    • less elongated orbits and a markedly shorter rostrum;
    • relatively wider but flatter auditory bullae;
    • a cranium that is less flexed posteriorly.

    (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: in the rock dwelling pikas, such as this species, than in burrowing pikas. (B605.3.w3)

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

General pika information

• 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)

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

Note: There is no specific information available for Ochotona turuchanensis as up until recently this pika was included as a subspecies of Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika. The information below is taken from Ochotona hyperborea and general pika information.

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)

• Summer coat of the closely-related Ochotona hyperborea
  • Dorsum: Light brownish - rufous
  • Sides: Rufous
  • Ventrum: Uniform rufous - white
• Winter coat of Ochotona hyperborea is significantly greyer with a brownish tinge. (B605.3.w3)

Adult Colour variations:--

Newborn/Juvenile:

General pika information

• 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:

Ochotona spp. general 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

Note: There is no specific information available for Ochotona turuchanensis as up until recently this pika was included as a subspecies of Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika. The information below is taken from Ochotona hyperborea and general pika information.

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: the diploid chromosome number of Ochotona hyperborea is 40. (B605.3.w3)

MUSCULO-SKELETAL SYSTEM: --

SPECIAL SENSES AND VOCALISATIONS:

General pika information

• 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". 
    (B285.w5g)
• The closely-related Ochotona hyperborea produces very loud and sharp vocalisations. (B605.3.w3)
  • A long call is only uttered by males and is composed of a chattering sound that is followed by a sequence of sharp, loud whistles. The dynamic spectrum of calls is individually specific. (B605.3.w3)
  • There is also a short call and a trill that are used by all individuals irrespective of sex and age . (B605.3.w3)
  • The short call: This species has a high pitched, very short, whistle which is easily distinguished from the sharp strident whistle of the sympatric Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika. The short call is used for communication between paired females and males. In spring it is only uttered by females whereas in autumn it is used by both sexes. When this call is used as an alarm signal, the series of calls used by Ochotona hyperborea is reported to be fewer than that found in the Ochotona alpina. The spectrum of these short calls in Ochotona hyperborea is very broad and also varies geographically. (B605.3.w3)

  Scent glands

General pika information

• Pikas have scent glands, as do all lagomorphs. (B285.w5a)
• The two functions of scent marking are thought to be:
  • territory maintenance and possibly advertisement.
  • sexual advertisement leading on to mating.
    (B605.3.w3)
• The closely-related Ochotona hyperborea marks its territory by rubbing its neck gland on stones or by urinating in specific places. Neck gland marking is used more frequently in the spring compared with the autumn. In autumn, an intruder's visit into the centre of another pika's home range stimulates marking by the host. (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)

Haying and foraging 

• 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)

Information on the closely-related Ochotona hyperborea

• Ochotona hyperborea stores large amounts of vegetation in haypiles. Other species of mammals also feed on the Northern pika's haypiles including:
  • Rangifer tarandus - Reindeer
  • Ovis nivicola - Siberian bighorn (snow sheep)
  • Equus caballus - Domestic horse
  • Lepus timidus - Mountain hare (white hares)
  • Marmota camtschatica (in early spring) (Sciuridae (Family))
  • Voles (Muridae (Family))
• "In an area of dense population on the middle Lena River, there was an inverse relationship between the density of pikas and that of small rodents; nevertheless, during winter, voles were often caught on pika haypiles".
• Ochotona hyperborea exhibits cleptoparasitic behaviour with males having been observed stealing hay from up to five conspecifics.

(B605.3.w3)

Parental Behaviour

Notes

Social Behaviour / Territoriality / Predation / Learning

Notes

For further information see Ochotona hyperborea.

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)

For further information see Ochotona hyperborea.

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 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)

For further information see Ochotona hyperborea.

Population densities

• In general, the population density of rock dwelling pikas, such as this species, is usually low at 5-25 per acre, and reasonably stable over a period of time. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)
• The density of Ochotona hyperborea varies with the locality and the populations remain fairly constant over time. Estimates of density include:
  • 30 pikas per hectare on the lower Lena River (1961)
  • 38 per hectare in the Kolyma Highlands (1969)
  • 40 per hectare on the Sokhondo Mountain 
  • 3.5 to 2.2 per hectare in Japan (1969, 1970)
• The usual density of Ochotona hyperborea is approximately 20 pikas per hectare. The higher estimates above were either from small patches of talus or from extremely optimal habitat. "Usually there is a higher density on smaller patches of talus. Northern pikas live mostly on the peripheries of larger talus not far from their feeding territories. Thus in estimations of density, it is necessary to consider not only the area of the talus, but also the length of its border. If one does not do this, density estimates may be inflated." This is the case in two separate studies that reported 210 pikas per hectare (Safronov and Akhremento, 1982) and 100 pikas per hectare (Revin, 1968). In each of these studies the pikas occupied long and narrow ramparts of logs that were 4 to 15 metres wide 
• The sex ratio of Ochotona hyperborea populations is 1:1, although in the study by Safronov and Akhremento where there was an abnormally dense population of 210 pikas per hectare (see above), the males were reported to comprise 60% of the population. Also in this study, it was reported that in mid winter, yearlings comprised 62% of the population with 28 % of the population being made up of one year old pikas and 8% by two year olds. Results of other studies of Ochotona hyperborea populations are:
  • Belyaev (1968): a 3 year study of one population reported a constant size but with a 65 -75 % annual renewal of the population
  • Stubbe and Chotolchu (1971): the generation turnover was two years; 67 % of the sampled population were young.
  • Gashev (1966, 1971): 20% of the sampled population were two to three years old and it is rare for a pika to survive three winters.
  • Revin (1968): in September, yearlings made up 50% of the population, adult one year old pikas 40.5% and adults of two years of age or older only comprising 9.5% of the population.

Predation

General pika information

• Pikas act as prey for many birds and mammals.
• The closely-related Ochotona hyperborea (and also Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika) are the basic food for sables (Martes - (Genus)) and so play an important role in the ecosystem. 

(B605.3.w3)

Sexual Behaviour

Notes

• In general, it appears that pikas are monogamous. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)
• A crucial point of the behaviour of Ochotona hyperborea is that the social organisation of this pika (whether of couples of threesomes) is not actually associated with the structure of the sexual relations. During the mating season, all males will visit no less than three females; and each female will be visited by several males, sometimes simultaneously. Some males that live in couples will travel long distances (over 200 metres) to visit other females. 

(B605.3.w3)

Activity Patterns, Self-grooming and Navigation

Notes

ACTIVITY PATTERNS: 

• General pika information: Pikas are agile and lively. (B285.w5g)

SELF-GROOMING: --

CIRCADIAN RHYTHM:

• General pika information
  • 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

• In general, most pikas live in remote high mountains and wild country and are well adapted to the cold and to living in rocky steppe and alpine habitats. (B285.w5g, B605.3.w3)
• Ochotona hyperborea is a widely distributed species and is mainly found inhabiting the montane taiga of boreal Asia. "Its northern boundary penetrates the tundra, but in the south it may be found in more xeric situations". Ochotona hyperborea inhabits rocky terrain in dark coniferous forests that are laced with mossy banks; it may also burrow around or under tree stumps or fallen logs. 

(B605.3.w3)

Nests / Burrows / Shelters

Notes

General pika information

• Ochotona hyperborea is characteristically a rock-dwelling species. (B605.3.w3)
• Rock dwelling pikas nest among rocks or fallen logs. (B285.w5g)

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Notes

Specific Ochotona turuchanensis information

Russia:

• From the middle to the lower Yenesei River eastward to Lake Baikal and middle Lena river; the Lena River basin and adjacent Middle Siberian Plateau. 

Sympatric with: Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika

(B607.w20)

Species variation

Notes

General pika information

Formerly included as a subspecies of:

• Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika, but has since been accepted as a full species. (B607.w20)
  • Ochotona hyperborea turuchanensis  was previously artificially united with Ochotona hyperborea ferruginea in one study. However, these two forms actually have separate ranges that are far removed from one another and also, Ochotona turuchanensis is considerably larger than Ochotona hyperborea ferruginea. (B605.3.w3)

Conservation Status

Notes

Note: There is little specific information available for Ochotona turuchanensis as up until recently this pika was included as a subspecies of Ochotona hyperborea - Northern pika. The information below is taken from Ochotona hyperborea and general pika information.

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)
  • Ochotona hyperborea (and also Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika) are the basic food for sables (Martes - (Genus)) and so play an important role in the ecosystem. (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)

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 turuchanensis information

• IUCN - No information currently available for this species. (W2.Apr08.w66)

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)
• There is no apparent threat to the closely-related Ochotona hyperborea and it is thought to be common throughout its wide geographic range. (B605.3.w3)

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:

• The closely-related Ochotona hyperborea, like Ochotona alpina - Alpine pika, adapts easily to humans and may be made a pet. (B605.3.w3)

TRADE AND USE:

General pika information 

• The fur of the closely-related Ochotona hyperborea was used to produce high quality felt prior to World War II. In Yakutia, the trapping of Ochotona hyperborea continued until 1953, and as many as 14000 pikas were caught in some years. Now this trapping has largely ceased. (B605.3.w3)