Moupin Pika

About this species

Size

14–18cm

Weight

71–136g

Habitat

Colonial and terrestrial; digs burrows

Litter size

1–5 young

The Moupin pika is a fairly small pika, 14 to 18cm long and weighing 71 to 136g. Its summer pelage is dark russet-brown with some light spots on the back and ochre-buff tinged below, and in winter it is lighter, buff to dull brown. The ears are dark brown with narrow white borders, and the soles of the feet are furred (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is diurnal but can be active at night, and is a colonial, terrestrial pika that digs burrows. Breeding starts in at least April and continues until July, and a female produces litters of one to five young. It has many subspecies, some of which may be distinct species. The Mammal Diversity Database lists China and Myanmar only, so Nepal presence is flagged for checking. Nationally Data Deficient (Nepal National Red List 2011).

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