Forrest's pika
Ochotona forresti is a mammal of the family of pikas among lagomorphs. Its range extends from northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Tibet in the People's Republic of China to the northern Myanmar, Bhutan and India.
Features
Ochotona forresti reaches a body length of 15.5 to 18.5 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 very dark, reddish-brown summer coat that is dark gray - brown in winter, with the ventral side is slightly lighter than the back side. Striking and characteristic of this type are the dark gray areas behind the ears, which meet in the neck. Other differences to other types exist in the skull morphology and the long claws of the front legs.
Dissemination
The distribution area of Ochotona forresti extends from northwestern Yunnan and southeastern Tibet in the People's Republic of China in northern Myanmar, Bhutan and the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Sikkim.
Ochotona forresti inhabited sun facing and forested mountain slopes with coniferous and shrub forests at altitudes of 2600-4400 meters. He lives in his habitat partially sympatric with Ochotona gaoligongensis, Ochotona thibetana, Ochotona roylei, Ochotona gloveri and Ochotona macrotis.
Way of life
Over the life of this pikas are very few information. It is believed that it digs caves buildings.
System
Ochotona forresti was assigned as an independent species the pikas ( genus Ochotona ). He was originally assigned to the species Ochotona thibetana, Ochotona roylei and Ochotona pusilla. It is believed that it either is a sister species to Ochotona erythrotis, or Ochotona gaoligongensis today described as a separate species could be a synonym of O. forresti.
Threats and conservation
The species is classified as not at risk ( least concern ) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN) due to their presumably large stock and the large distribution area.