Mammal
Gansu Pika
Ochotona cansusAlso known as Gray Pika, Kansu Pika
Gansu pikas construct intricate subterranean tunnels beneath dwarf shrubs and alpine meadows across central China's high mountains. Individuals routinely perch atop earthen mounds to survey open ground, emitting piercing whistles to alert colony members to approaching raptors. During short alpine summers, they harvest grasses and shrub leaves, caching dried plant piles near tunnel entrances to survive harsh winter snowpack.
AlpineHerbivoreBurrowing
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAlpine grasses, Sedges, Shrub foliage
Predators
- Tibetan Fox
- Upland Buzzard
- Mountain Weasel
ThreatsPasture rodenticide application, grazing degradation, climate change
HabitatsSubalpine scrub, alpine meadows, montane shrublands
Life span1–3 years
Classification
- FamilyOchotonidae
- SpeciesOchotona cansus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Viewing Vantage: Scan dirt mounds and low shrub clusters through binoculars from a respectful distance.
- Auditory Clues: Listen for abrupt, metallic alarm whistles carrying across windy hillsides.
- Tread Lightly: Stay on established paths to prevent collapsing fragile, shallow burrow chambers.
Predator no rights reserved · cc0
Predator (c) egorbirder, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Kunsang / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative
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