Chinese red pika
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Genus
SPECIES
Ochotona erythrotis

The Chinese red pika (Ochotona erythrotis ) is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae. Typical of a pika it has short limbs, a small tail and round ears. Specific to the Chinese red pika has distinctive red color in its pelt. The Chinese pika typically lives in rocky terrain at altitudes between 600–1200 meters. and is endemic to the East Qinghai, West Gansu and Northern Sichuan provinces of China and Eastern Tibet.

Appearance

The Chinese red pika is one of the largest pika species, averaging a length of 18 to 29 cm. This pika has both a winter and summer pelt. The winter pelt is thicker for the cooler weather, and is a grey color with a slight tint of red in the ear region. In the summer, this species has a coat that is a rusty-red color at the head and chest and progressively becomes more grey at the tail end of the animal. The stomach region of O. erythrotis is a white color in both pelts.

Distribution

Geography

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The Chinese red pika is primarily a rock-dwelling pika. It can be found in cliff and rock terrain or in the alpine shrubland and meadows near rock formations primarily at an altitude of 600–1,200 metres (2,000–3,900 ft). This species has been observed to be adaptable and opportunistic in where it lives. This pika species is a burrowing species, which makes burrows that are 1–2 meters in length.

Chinese red pika habitat map
Chinese red pika habitat map
Chinese red pika

Mating Habits

O. erythrotis have an average of two litters per year, usually averaging 3–7 young per litter. Their reproductive season is between May and August.

References

1. Chinese red pika Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_red_pika
2. Chinese red pika on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41260/45183115

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