Ochotona macrotis and O. royalei have in the past been classified by taxonomists as the same species. However, modern day genetics suggests that they are separate species. Ochotona macrotis occurs at a higher elevation than its sister group, O. royalei.
Ochontids typically use sharp, high-pitched whistles to communicate with each other. Such calls are often used when predators are close at hand. Calls vary in range and pitch for different classes of predators. Vocalizations are also used to advertize territorial boundaries. Barks against invasive males are frequent during the mating months. Like other Asiatic species, large-eared pikas have been known to give nocturnal calls. Suprisingly, neither O. macrotis and O. royalei are as vocal as other pika species. Because thse animals rely less on vocalizations as a means of communication, it has been suggested that O. macrotis uses other methods of communication, such as pheromones.
As in all diurnal species, visual communication, including body posture, is probably important between conspecifics. Tactile communication occurs between mates, rivals, and between mothers and their young.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Other Communication Modes: scent marks
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
This species is not a conservation concern.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Large-eared pikas have been known to creep in and live among the walls of homes near their territory. In such circumstances, unattended food around the house is often nibbled at or stolen away to the nests.
Negative Impacts: household pest
These pikas have no known positive impact on human economies. Although other pikas make hay piles that can be used by domestic animals grazing in the area, this species is not known to make such hay piles.
To the extent that these animals serve as prey, they have impact in local food webs. In addition, they are likely to influence local plant communities through their foraging behavior.
In general, pikas eat all available plant vegetation such as grasses, sedges, twigs, and flowers. During the first month after winter, there is a great deal of competition to consume new vegetation. Consumption of grasses and other plant-foods occurs fromt the end of the matter that has been bitten off. Lichens and mosses are also eaten if they are present and nearby pika dwellings. Ochontids use pathways to travel between feeding grounds.
Because pikas do not hibernate and food storage often runs low during late winter, they typically forage continuously during the winter months. When snow cover is heavy, pikas dig tunnels from their burrows to tree trunks. In the absence of other forage, pikas may nibble away the tree bark.
Two fecal types are produced, including a gelatinous, green excrement. To obtain vitamin B and other nutrients, pikas, like all lagomorphs, will consume their feces.
Plant Foods: leaves; wood, bark, or stems; seeds, grains, and nuts; flowers; bryophytes; lichens
Other Foods: dung
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )
Large eared pikas, Ochotona macrotis, are most frequently found on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Central Asia, as well as in the Tienshan and Pamir mountain ranges. This species of ochotonid is also encountered in the Nepal Himalayas, Punjab, and Kashmir, as well as in remote areas surrounding China's western forests in the Sinkiang Province.
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
In general, pikas establish nests among rocky debris on talus slopes formed by glaciers. The rocks serve as both a home and refuge against predators. The size of the rocks is important for pikas because these animals use natural crevices and tunnels to travel from one location to another. Spaces that are too large may permit predators to reach the pikas.
One can often identify the presence of a pika by the presence of droppings. Pellets are usually confined in consistent piles among the talus. Rocks with crusty white urine stains also suggest pika presence. This particular species can occur at elevations as high as 6,100 m.
Range elevation: 2,300 to 6,100 m.
Average elevation: 4,000 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: mountains
Although data for O. macrotis are lacking, it is thought that pikas in general have a lifespan of one to three years. Long-earned pikas are likely to have a similar maximum lifespan.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 1 to 3 years.
Large-eared pikas are similar physically to Ochonta royalei, but with larger ears. These animals are approximately 150 to 200 mm in length. They can weigh up to 120 g.
This particular ochotonid has the largest pinnae of any member of the family, hence its common name. Like other lagomorphs, ochotonids have an extra pair of insisors behind the first. The pelage is thick, soft, and slightly silky. Unlike rabbits and hares, ochotonids have visible toe pads surrounded by well furred feet.
Among pikas in general, two molts occur yearly which vary in color, due to seasonal changes. Females often lose their fur later in the season than male ochotonids. It has been suggested that sexual differences in timing of molt is related to reproduction.
The metabolic rate of ochotonids is high, particularly those species such as O. macrotis, which experience harsh climates and conditions with much snow.
Average mass: 0.12 kg.
Range length: 150 to 250 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Pikas are particularly vulnerable to weasels, canines, hawks, and owls and calling has evolved to alert nearby indivuals of approaching danger. Generally, there is a sentinel on the alert for strange sounds and movements. This individual often watches from a slope with an adequate view. Barks are initiated at the first sign of danger. Sentinals can escape to a nearby crevice for their own safety. Pikas usually take cover in the rocky debris when two short, distinctive calls, typical of an aerial predator, are given by the sentinel. When weasles are spotted, vocalization is generally restrained, and pikas hearing the call will silently escape and take cover. The strategy is different for avian and terrestrial predators because runways and tunnels are differentially accessible by these predators.
Known Predators:
These animals appear to mate polygynously. It is not known whether courtship exists among ochotonids. As in other lagomorphs, ovulation is induced by copulation. Suprisingly, aggressiveness among male ochotonids is reduced during the onset of female reproduction. It is not until the young are slightly grown that males become territorial. The most severe period of male agressiveness occurs during the fall, after reproduction has occured. During mid-summer, males become highly territorial and aggressive male-male chases occur once per hour.
Mating System: polygynous
Both male and female large-eared pikas become sexually mature around one year of age. Mating takes place during a short period in the early summer. Gestation lasts only 30 days. Reproductive capacity is low, with a typical litter of two pups. It has been suggested that this phenomenon is linked to the short mating season of O. macrotis. Large-eared pikas mature quickly, with time to weaning lasting only a month.
By one year of age, males stake out new territories and will often tresspass onto those of an adjacent males. Females, on the other hand, usually remain in one area until a mate is chosen.
Breeding interval: Ochotona macrotis breeds once per year.
Breeding season: Mating usually occurs in late spring and early summer.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 7.
Average number of offspring: 4.08.
Average gestation period: 30 days.
Average weaning age: 30 days.
Average time to independence: 50 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 7 to 14 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 12 months.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 7 to 14 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 12 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; induced ovulation ; fertilization ; viviparous
As with most mammals, male pikas do not extend any care to their offspring. Instead, females provide their young with protection, food, and grooming. By one week of age, the newly born pikas begin walking and making vocalizations.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
The large-eared pika (Ochotona macrotis) is a species of small mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is found in mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Tibet, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan and Tajikistan where it nests among boulders and scree.
The large-eared pika has brownish-grey fur tinged with ochre. The forehead, cheeks and shoulder region have a reddish tinge which is more obvious in summer. The underparts are greyish-white.[2] The four legs are all about the same length and the feet, including the soles, are covered with fur.[3] An adult large-eared pika is 15 to 20.4 cm (6 to 8 in) long.[1]
The large-eared pika is native to mountainous regions of Central Asia. Its range includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Tibet, Xinjiang and Yunnan in China. Its minimum altitude is about 2,300 metres (7,500 ft)[1] and it has been recorded at altitudes of 6,130 metres (20,113 feet) in the Himalayas. The large-eared pika does not make a burrow but lives in crevices among the shattered rock and scree found in mountainous regions.[3]
The large-eared pika is territorial, an adult pair occupying an exclusive area. In different parts of their range they are found at densities varying between 6 and 18 individuals per hectare. They are prey species for various carnivorous mammals and birds of prey.[2]
The large-eared pika is an herbivore and is diurnal. It feeds on grasses and other vegetation, twigs, lichens and mosses. Some populations make "haypiles" of dried grasses in their burrows to help see them through the winter when fresh greenery is scarce. There are usually two litters a year, each with two to three young. The gestation period is approximately 30 days. The juveniles are mature by the next breeding season and the life expectancy of this species is about three years.[1]
Although the population size of the large-eared pika is unknown, it has an extensive range and seems to be common within its upland habitat. No particular threats have been identified so the IUCN, in its Red List of Threatened Species, lists it as being of "Least Concern".[1]
The large-eared pika (Ochotona macrotis) is a species of small mammal in the family Ochotonidae. It is found in mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Tibet, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan and Tajikistan where it nests among boulders and scree.
