Ladak pika facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ladak pika |
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| at 5000 m near Tang Lang La | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ochotona
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| Species: |
ladacensis
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| Ladak pika range | |
The Ladak pika (Ochotona ladacensis), also known as the Ladakh pika, is a small, furry mammal. It belongs to the Ochotonidae family, which includes pikas. You can find these cute creatures in the high mountains of China, India, and Pakistan. Before scientists learned more about them, people sometimes thought they were plateau pikas. The Ladak pika is named after the Ladakh region where it lives. These pikas are commonly found in mountain valleys, living at very high elevations. They are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants.
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Understanding the Ladak Pika's Identity
Scientists first thought the Ladak pika was the same as the plateau pika. This was because their fur color looked similar. Also, a part of their skull, called the interorbital region (the area between the eyes), looked alike.
However, researchers later found important differences. The Ladak pika has smaller auditory bulla (bone structures around the ear). Its skull also has a different arched shape. These differences showed that the Ladak pika is its own unique species. There are no different types or subspecies of the Ladak pika. Local people in the Ladakhi language have special names for this animal, including zabra, karin, and phisekarin.
What Does the Ladak Pika Look Like?
The Ladak pika has fur that is a light brown or grey color. Its belly is usually yellow or white. An adult Ladak pika's body is about 7 to 9 inches (18 to 23 cm) long.
The outer parts of its ears are a color like rust. The top of its skull has a high, arched shape. These features help scientists identify the Ladak pika.
Where the Ladak Pika Lives and What It Eats
The Ladak pika lives in the high mountain ranges of northern India, northeastern Pakistan, and western China. This includes areas like Qinghai, Xizang (Tibet), and Xinjiang provinces. They also live across the Tibetan Plateau.
These pikas make their homes in valleys. They dig burrows in the ground for shelter. They live at very high altitudes, usually between 4,300 and 5,450 metres (14,110 and 17,880 ft). The Ladak pika is a herbivore, which means it eats only plants. During the cold winter months, they are thought to eat roots, especially from plants in the Primulaceae family. Ladak pikas live in family groups and protect their own territory. Scientists often find them during surveys in these mountain regions.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Ladak pikas have their babies during the late spring and early summer. This usually happens in late June and early July. This timing allows their young to grow strong before the harsh winter arrives in the mountains.
