Kingdom Animalia Order Lagomorpha Genus Ochotona Higher classification Pika | Phylum Chordata Family Ochotonidae Scientific name Ochotona alpina Rank Species | |
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Similar Pika, Daurian pika, Steppe pika, Pallas's pika, Large‑eared pika | ||
The alpine pika (Ochotona alpina) is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae. It is found in Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia in very cold, mountainous regions. It is a small mammal only weighing about 5 ounces (0.31 lb) and about 7 inches (18 cm) long. They have no visible tail, round ears, and sharp claws used for foraging and digging. They feed mainly on plant stems, which they gather during the summer for the winter months to create haypiles. This storage will sometimes be shared with other species such as reindeer. They have been known to share their burrows with snow finches, as they will help them build their nest. They are sometimes referred to as the whistling hare because of their rabbit-like behavior and high-pitched warning calls.