Ochotona

Ochotona is a genus of small lagomorphs belonging to the family Ochotonidae, commonly known as pikas. They are relatives of rabbits and hares but are classified in their own distinct family. The genus comprises about 30 species found across Asia and North America.

Pikas occupy cool, mountainous habitats and are most often associated with talus slopes, alpine meadows, and shrubby hillsides. They are common in the Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau, Central Asia, the mountains of Siberia, and western North America. They rely on rock crevices for shelter and protection from predators and harsh weather.

Physically, pikas are compact, with short limbs, rounded ears, and dense fur. They lack a visible tail, have strong incisor teeth typical of lagomorphs, and are generally vocal and sedentary within territory boundaries. A notable behavior is the construction of haypiles from grasses and other vegetation, which they stockpile to provide food during the winter months.

Diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, flowers, and other plant material, supplemented by mosses and lichens in some species. Most pikas have multiple breeding cycles per year, depending on climate. Gestation typically lasts around 28 to 32 days, with litter sizes ranging from two to six individuals. Juveniles mature relatively quickly and can be reproductively active within a year.

Conservation status varies among species. Some populations are stable, while others are threatened by habitat loss and climate change, as warming temperatures reduce suitable alpine habitat and disrupt food supplies. The American pika (Ochotona princeps) is often cited as an indicator species for climate-related ecological changes in North American montane ecosystems.