Chinese red pika
Ochotona erythrotis is a mammal of the family of pikas among lagomorphs. Their range is restricted to the highlands of the Chinese provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Yunnan.
Features
Ochotona erythrotis is a comparatively large pika. It reaches a body length of 18.1 to 28.5 inches and resembles several other species of the genus Ochotona in both its body size as well as in the key skull features. He has a bright, rust- brown summer coat that is gray - brown in some individuals in the chest area. The breast is a reddish brown, the belly white. In winter, the species is dark colored or pale - gray on the back and abdomen, but the ears retain their reddish-brown color. Other differences to other species, especially to Ochotona rutila and Ochotona gloveri exist in the cranial morphology.
Dissemination
The distribution area of Ochotona erythrotis is restricted to the highlands of the Chinese provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Yunnan.
Ochotona erythrotis lives on alpine meadows and scrubland on rock faces and projections at altitudes between 2000 and 4000 meters.
Way of life
Over the life of this pikas are very few information. Digging simple structures with lengths of one to two meters.
The breeding season is from May to August. The females of Ochotona erythrotis bring one to two times a year pups, one litter of three to seven boys there.
System
Ochotona erythrotis was once considered conspecific viewed with Ochotona rutila, some were on the other hand Ochotona gloveri and Ochotona brookei (now O. gloveri brokkeri ) slammed mainly because of their proximity Ochotona erythrotis. The differentiation of the species erythrotis O., O. O. rutila gloveri and is mainly based on the different coat color, and due to differences in morphology skull.
Threats and conservation
The species is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN ) due to the presumably large stock and the large distribution area as not at risk ( least concern ). Although no specific data are available to the population size, it is assumed that the stock is not as strong decline at least that it would be a threat to derive.