Plateau pika

The Schwarzlippige pika ( Ochotona curzoniae ) is a mammal of the family of pikas ( Ochotonidae ).

Features

Schwarzlippige pikas have the typical stocky physique of pikas with small, rounded ears and relatively short limbs. Her thick fur is at the top of reddish- brown and gray in color at the bottom, with the winter fur is more grayish as in other pikas. Named giving feature is the black colored lips.

Distribution and habitat

The Black Lips - pikas inhabit the highlands of Tibet and adjacent areas in western China, India ( Sikkim ) and Nepal. Their habitat are mountainous areas up to 5300 meters above sea level.

Lifestyle and diet

These animals live together in family groups composed of one male, one or two females and five to ten pups from several generations. They live in complex burrows, which consist of several tunnels and entrances and they both used to search for food and to escape from predators. There are territorial animals, defending their gear system vehemently against other groups or individual animals. Black lip pikas can be active both during the day and at night. Like all pikas they do not hibernate, but create their food supplies.

Schwarzlippige pikas primarily eat grasses, herbs and plant stems, but also roots.

Reproduction

The propagation of the black pikas takes place during the summer months, while the female often wears several litters per year. The gestation period amounts to 21 to 24 days Würfgröße one to eight ( average 4.8 ). The young grow very rapidly and are weaned after three weeks.