Hoffmann's pika
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SPECIES
Ochotona hoffmanni

Hoffmann's pika (Ochotona hoffmanni ) is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae, that is endemic to Mongolia. It is currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Animal name origin

The word “pika” was first coined by the Evenks of Siberia to describe the calls pikas use to communicate with each other. The genus name of Hoffmann's pika, Ochotona, was inspired by “ogdai,” the term Mongolians use to refer to pikas.

Appearance

Hoffmann's pika, like other pika species, is a small furry animal (between 125 and 130 mm in length, and 70 to 300 g in weight) with short round ears, which do not move readily, and short limbs, which give it an egg-like appearance. Newborn Hoffmann's pikas are helpless and naked or slightly furred. Its nostrils can be completely closed, and it has an extremely short tail, which is hardly visible. The two front paws have five digits and the back paws have four, which all have curved claws and are covered by long hair, leaving only the digit pads exposed. When completing quick movements (such as running) they are considered digitigrade, and are considered plantigrade during slow movements. They have a high metabolic rate and are considered endothermic. Males and females are about the same size and are difficult to tell apart.

Distribution

Geography

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Hoffmann's pikas are found in Mongolia. Some reports state that they have also been found in the southeast area of Russia.

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The preferred habitat of Hoffmann's pika is rocky areas (e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks). Hoffmann's pika is one kind of rock-dwelling pika, which nest among rocks or fallen logs. For other rock-dwelling pikas, the preferred habitat is rock and talus. Hoffmann's pika may be found in old moss-covered scree or in burrows under tree roots.

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Hoffmann's pika habitat map
Hoffmann's pika habitat map
Hoffmann's pika
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Diet and Nutrition

Hoffmann's pikas are similar in feeding behavior to other Asian pikas, especially the Alpine pikas. Hoffmann's pikas collect vegetation by ripping plants out of the ground with their mouths and bringing it back to their claimed territory. This behavior is known as haying. This practice allows them to save food during periods of sparse vegetation. However, Hoffmann's pikas can over-harvest, which can cause them to run out of food.

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Hoffmann's pikas, like other pikas, are herbivores that consume a wide variety of vegetation, such as leaves, seeds and leaves of grasses, and stems of forbs and shrubs. They may even eat small quantities of animal matter. They choose plants for consumption based on availability, nutritional content, and preference. Hoffmann's pikas do not continuously forage for a single source of vegetation; they alternate among available sources of foliage, resulting in a stabilized plant community composition and an overall deceleration of the process of succession. Similar to other pikas, Hoffmann's pikas store vegetation in haypiles for consumption during the winter months.

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Mating Habits

In general, pikas breed twice a year, in the spring and in the summer, and many species will have two or more litters per year. Rock dwelling pikas, such as Hoffmann's pika, have a gestation period of 30 days. Embryo resorption may occur if the pika encounters adverse conditions. Young rock dwelling pikas, such as Hoffmann's pika, will first breed as yearlings. In general, it appears that Hoffmann's pikas are monogamous Pikas have scent glands, as do all lagomorphs.

References

1. Hoffmann's pika Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoffmann's_pika
2. Hoffmann's pika on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/40800/45181807

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