Himalayan Pika

About the Himalayan Pika

Royle's pika (Ochotona roylii), also called the Himalayan hare or hui shutu, is a species of pika. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Royle's pika was first described in 1839 as Lagomys roylii by William Ogilby, with the type locality being Choor Mountain in Himachal Pradesh.

The subspecies O. r. himalayana, the Himalayan pika, was considered a distinct species for a brief period, but was reclassified as a subtaxon of O. roylii in 2014. The most common pika species in the Himalayas, it has a length of 17-22 centimeters. Royle's pika has a slightly arched head, with a rufous-grey body and chestnut-colored head, as well as sparse hair in front of its ears.

Royle's pika is the most common pika species in the Himalayas, and can be confused with the sympatric large-eared pika. These species are mostly seen in the open rocky mountain edges or slopes, or on ground covered with conifer trees, such as pine, deodar and rhododendron forests. Royle's pika are a crepuscular foraging species, as they tend to be inactive during midday hours. Reduction of activity during the midday is also contributed to increasing... Wikipedia →