Thomas's pika facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thomas's pika |
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| Genus: |
Ochotona
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| Species: |
thomasi
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| Thomas's pika range | |
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The Thomas's pika (Ochotona thomasi) is a small mammal that belongs to the pika family. It's also sometimes called the Thomas-pika. This little animal has reddish-brown fur in the summer and turns mouse-grey in the winter.
Thomas's pikas are plant-eaters, meaning they are herbivores. They live in the high mountains of China, specifically in the eastern Qilian Mountains. You can find them in parts of Qinghai, Gansu, and northwestern Sichuan. Sometimes, their homes are at risk because of habitat loss. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Endangered Species first looked at this pika in 1994. They later decided in 2008 that it was a species of least concern, meaning it's not currently in great danger.
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What is a Thomas's Pika?
Thomas's pikas are small, usually measuring about 10.5 to 16.5 cm (4.1 to 6.5 in) long. They weigh between 45 to 110 g (1.6 to 3.9 oz), which is about as much as a small apple. Their heads are smaller and flatter than other pika species.
- Summer Look: In summer, their fur on top is reddish-brown. Their bellies are usually light white or have a yellowish tint.
- Winter Look: When winter comes, their fur changes to a mouse-grey color. You can see little black tips on their hairs.
- Ears and Feet: Their ears are about 1.7 to 2.2 cm (0.67 to 0.87 in) long, and their back feet are about 2.2 to 2.9 cm (0.87 to 1.14 in) long.
Where Do Thomas's Pikas Live?
Thomas's pikas are special because they are endemic to China. This means they are only found naturally in China and nowhere else in the world. They are quite rare, and scientists haven't done many big studies on how many there are.
They live in the quiet, isolated parts of the eastern Qilian Mountains. These mountains are located in the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, and northwestern Sichuan.
Thomas's pikas make their homes in meadows and in small, bushy forests. They like areas with plants like Caragana jubata, shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa), Rhododendron, and different kinds of willow trees (Salix). They live at very high elevations, from about 3,400 metres (11,200 ft) to 4,020 metres (13,190 ft) above sea level.
Sometimes, Thomas's pikas live in the same areas as another type of pika called the Gansu pika. This is called being sympatric.
How Do Thomas's Pikas Behave?
Thomas's pikas are active during the day, which means they are diurnal. They are also burrowing animals, so they dig tunnels and homes underground.
As herbivores, they eat a variety of plants. Scientists believe they might live in small family groups. We don't know a lot about their daily lives or how they have babies. However, experts think their behavior might be similar to that of the Gansu pika.
Protecting Thomas's Pika
The IUCN Red List of Endangered Species keeps track of animals that might be at risk.
- In 1994, they said they didn't know enough about Thomas's pika to give it a clear status.
- By 1996, it was listed as near threatened. This was because its population seemed to be going down.
- But in 2008, the IUCN looked again and changed its status to a species of least concern. This means they are not currently worried about it disappearing. Even though we still don't know a lot about them, they are found over a wide area.
It's not clear if the number of Thomas's pikas is going up or down right now. Sometimes, pikas are seen as pests, and people might try to control their numbers. However, we don't know how much this affects Thomas's pika specifically. There are currently no special plans or actions in place to protect Thomas's pika.
