Ochotonidae

The family Ochotonidae, commonly known as pikas, are small, egg-shaped mammals characterized by short legs and virtually no tail. They are lagomorphs, closely related to hares and rabbits, but are distinct from rodents. Pikas are found in mountainous regions of western North America and across Asia, with most species inhabiting China, particularly the Tibetan plateau.1

There are two main ecological niches for pikas: some live in rocky talus slopes, while others construct burrows in meadows or steppes. Rock-dwelling pikas tend to be long-lived and have stable populations, whereas burrowing pikas have shorter lifespans and experience significant population fluctuations. Pikas are herbivores and do not hibernate; they create "haypiles" of vegetation to survive winter. Some pika species are endangered due to habitat loss and control efforts.1