One of the most endearing and resilient small mammals of the high mountains of Central and South Asia, known for its oversized ears, soft fur, and remarkable ability to thrive in extreme alpine environments. This tiny, rabbit-like creature lives in some of the harshest conditions on Earth—from the rocky slopes of the Himalayas to the rugged plateaus of Tibet and the Pamirs—where oxygen is thin, temperatures plunge below freezing, and vegetation is scarce.
The large-eared pika is a diurnal and highly active species, meaning it’s most active during the day, though in some regions it may also venture out at dawn or dusk. It typically inhabits rocky talus slopes, alpine meadows, and cliffside crevices, where it finds shelter from both predators and the elements. Unlike many mammals that hibernate during the long alpine winters, pikas remain active year-round—a remarkable feat given the freezing temperatures and heavy snow cover of their habitats.
To survive the winter, the large-eared pika engages in an ingenious behavior called “haypiling.” Throughout the short summer, it gathers grasses, mosses, leaves, and wildflowers, drying them under the sun and storing them in hidden caches between rocks. These “haypiles” serve as winter food reserves, sustaining the pika when fresh vegetation is unavailable. This industrious habit has earned pikas the nickname “mountain farmers” or “ecosystem gardeners.”
Large-eared pikas can survive at altitudes above 5,000 meters (16,000 feet)—higher than almost any other mammal except certain rodents and the Himalayan jumping mouse. It doesn’t hibernate because its metabolism and fur insulation are so efficient that it can stay warm even in subzero temperatures. They are also known for their “sun-drying” behavior—spreading collected vegetation on rocks during sunny days to dehydrate it before storing. The dried plants resist mold and remain edible all winter long, a strategy that rivals human food preservation techniques!
Distribution
Afghanistan
Bhutan
China
India
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Nepal
Pakistan
TajikistanAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
