The Japanese Northern
Pika
The commonly referred to
Northern
Pika, Or scientifically the
Ochotona hyperborea is a small
lagomorph mammal that shares it’s family
tree with other mammals like the Hare or Rabbit. The Ochotona genus
has 30 known species separated mostly by region of habitation, the
Northern Pika preferring mountainous northern regions covered by
dense forests or thick vegetation.
More specifically the Ochotona Hyperborea is found in a wide
variety of places reaching from the United States near the Rocky
Mountains to Northern Japan, Korea, Mongolia and even parts of
Russia.When in the summer season the Northern Pika generally shed a
thick gray winter coat of fur, typical too many mammals, to a light
brownish-red.
The Pika does not hibernate in its winter months and so grows this
winter fur to both protect from cold and use as camouflage in the
snow as it is particularly vulnerable to predators during the
winter. The average Northern Pika varies in size anywhere from
127 millimeters to
186
millimeters.
They do have what would be considered a tail but is very small, as
are many
lagomorph tails, being
only 1 centimeter in length on average. Males and Females of the
species are
monomorphic like
many of its family and thus exceedingly difficult to tell apart
without invasive investigation or tests.
The Ochotona family of lagomorphs have small rounded ears much like
that of a Bear that are generally as round as they are tall. Their
legs are short of their size with their hind legs being slightly
shorter than their forelegs, fur sufficiently covering the bottom
of their feet.
When it comes to the love-life of the Northern Pika the males have
been known to travel 200 meters or more for their love interest.
Mating calls are performed by the males to their mates in loud
successive declarations of interest. Male and Female Pika often
live as a mating pair however males have been known to court as
many as 3 female in a single mating season.
Once paired the common gestation period for the Northern Pika is
just under a month, being exactly 28 days. Litters of Pika have
been known to be as large as nine young, but are more commonly
three or four young per birthing. It is still disputed if female
yearlings can breed or if they must wait for their second year,
however no similar debate is made for males.
Most young leave their natal home in the start of their first
summer but it has been known to vary depending on birthing
season.The average lifespan of an Ochotona is roughly
two
years in the wild, Being known to live as long as
three years, in captivity though they have been
known to live for as long as
nine. During their
lifetime the Pika claims a territory and guards it aggressively
against other Pika.
They gather hay and pile it up in their den as bedding, and sunbath
on their back on rocks in the open. While the females stick to
their territory for their entire lifespan the males are known to
roam in and out of other Pika’s territories for a great many
reasons ranging from mating to food. Often having their own
specific calls and will not answer to another Pika that calls to
them if it is not their offspring or mate.
The Ochotona are
herbivores and
eat
leaves,
nuts,
grains,
flowers and
some
lichens.This small lagomorph was once used for its fur
which was used to create a very high quality felt. It is now no
longer economically viable and so they have a place in our hearts
as a cute mammal to watch play in the fields as we do Rabbit.
They usually stay out of the way of humans and we seem just fine
leaving them to live the life they have in most circumstances. They
have no known negative impact on human life and so they aren’t
likely to be in any danger any time soon. This editorial was
generously written by
Alice!
