Daurian Pika

About this species

Diet

Grasses and other vegetation

Habitat

Steppe and semi-desert grassland

Range

Mongolia and neighbouring Central and East Asia

The Daurian pika is a small, tailless lagomorph with short rounded ears and a compact body adapted to life close to the ground. Its brownish coat blends with dry steppe vegetation. Unlike rock-dwelling pikas that shelter mainly among talus, this species is closely associated with burrow systems in open country. Detailed cranial or dental characters may be needed where pika ranges meet. (Wikipedia, general species account)

It occupies steppe and semi-desert grassland across Mongolia and neighbouring parts of Russia and China. Animals feed on grasses and other vegetation, remain close to burrow entrances, and communicate with short calls. Colonies can alter local vegetation through grazing and provide prey and burrows for other steppe animals. The opened source did not provide dependable Mongolia-specific litter size, seasonality, or a visitor-ready observation locality. (Wikipedia, general species account)

Description: Wildlife of Mongolia guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)