Ochotona rutila
Turkestan red pika

Ochotona rutila occurs east of the Caspian Sea within the mountain ranges of Tien Shan, Pamir, Kirgiz, and Gissar. Their range extends from southeast Russian Turkestan to northern Afghanistan. (Corbet, 1978; Smith, et al., 1990)

Ochotona rutila is present at elevations between 2000 m and 3000 m (Corbet, 1978). Habitat types range from spruce forests to sub alpine meadows (Ognev, 1940). Their distribution is patchy, with individuals or pair groups occupying large home ranges. In general, pika species inhabit one of two different habitat types, although overlap does occur. Talus-dwelling pikas are commonly found on steep, rocky slopes, while burrowing pikas live in grasslands, shrub habitats and/or forests (Smith, 1981). Ochotona rutila is a talus-dwelling species, inhabiting rock dominated environments at moderate elevations. The weather within their range is characterized by cold and rainy summers and snowy winters (Angermann, 1975). Snow depth can have a significant effect on winter survival rates of red pikas, possibly affecting the range at which they are found. This would explain why red pikas are not found at elevations greater than 3,000 m (Ognev 1940, Bernstein 1963 as cited in Smith et al. 1990) as snow levels above this elevation may become too deep to access food. However, moderate levels of snow are needed for insulation during winter months (Angermann, 1975). The preferred habitat for red pikas is a moderate, rocky slope with vegetation growing between large stones at an elevation between 2,000 and 3,000 m. A breeding pair will use the largest stones for their shelter (Smith et al. 1990). (Angermann, 1975; Bernstein, 1963; Ognev, 1940; Smith, et al., 1990; Smith, 1981)

The morphology and body mass of Ochotona species is similar. However, it has been speculated that the length of vibrissae and the shape and thickness of claws can distinguish talus-dwelling pikas from burrowing pikas (Smith et al. 1990). Talus-dwelling pikas are thought to have longer vibrissae while burrowing pikas have straighter, more powerful claws (Smith et al. 1990). As a talus-dwelling pika, red pikas have relatively long vibrissae, ranging in length from 80 to 94 mm (Ognev, 1940) Males and females are monomorphic, with females being only slightly heavier than males while carrying their young. Both males and females have a cloaca that must be everted in order to determine their gender (Duke, 1951, Krear, 1965). The average weight of red pikas is unknown. Turkestan red pikas have two molts per year that vary in color seasonally. The summer coats of red pikas are described by Smith as “a rich rust-reddish dorsally with a more yellow cinnamon-buff tinge on the flanks" (Smith et al. 1990). Red pika pelts have a distinctive wide, cream colored collar behind the ears that narrows dorsally. In contrast, their winter coat is gray with dark brown spots (Ognev, 1940). The pelage of juvenile red pikas is indistinguishable from their parent's 20 days after birth. Ochotona erythrotis, an allospecies formerly synonomized with Ochotona rutila, can be easily distinguished from red pikas based on the presence of frontal fenestrae. Red pika skulls do not have frontal fenestrae (Ognev, 1940). (Angermann, 1975; Duke, 1951; Ognev, 1940; Smith, et al., 1990)

Both male and female red pikas reach sexual maturity at approximately one year of age. Once sexually active, pikas often pair with individuals in nearby territories. Interactions between partners can be very physical, appearing as long boxing sessions (Smith et al. 1990). Asian talus-dwelling pikas are unique from those found in North American in that a breeding pair will defend a shared territory instead of having individual territories (Smith, 1981). It is unknown, however, whether breeding pairs remain monogamous through out their life. Red pikas breed seasonally in spring and summer months. (Smith, et al., 1990; Smith, 1981)

Talus-dwelling pikas characteristically have a low reproduction rate. Red pikas commonly have 2 to 3 litters per year with 2 to 6 young (average 4.2) per litter (Smith et al. 1990). Young are born covered with hair (Angermann, 1975). They gain their hearing after nine days and are able to see after 13 to 14 days. Young become independent of their parents after 20 days (Angermann, 1975) and will become sexually mature the following spring (Bernstein 1964 as cited in Smith et al. 1990). (Angermann, 1975; Bernstein, 1964; Smith, et al., 1990)

Juvenile red pikas receive biparental care, having both the male and female of the breeding pair participate in rearing of offspring. Young are weaned from their parents after they are approximately 20 days old (Angermann, 1975). They may remain on their parents’ territory during their first summer, feeding on their parents’ food stores. However, after dispersing, juveniles can be challenged by adults and may therefore try to avoid all contact with adults until after they have established their own territories (Smith, 1981). (Angermann, 1975; Smith, 1981)

Red pikas live for approximately 3 years. Other talus-dwelling species have been found to live for up to 6 years. Approximately 22% of juveniles survive their second winter (Angermann, 1975). (Angermann, 1975)

Talus-dwelling pikas are known for being asocial and territorial. Red pikas typically have small, stable populations and large home ranges. They can be found in pairs or family groups, but never form large congregations or colonies. Territories are commonly maintained by a breeding pair rather than individually (Smith et al. 1990). Individuals, pairs, or family groups will keep a distance of 50 to 100 m from their neighbors, with each territory having only one shelter and food cache. Red pikas use naturally occurring crevices between rocks for their shelter. A breeding pair may use the same shelter and food cache site for life (Angermann, 1975). (Angermann, 1975; Smith, et al., 1990)

The physical behavior of pikas can be greatly affected by temperature. Pikas generally operate at relatively high body temperatures (40.1۫ C) while having a low tolerance to any increase in body temperature (Smith, 1981). As a result, pikas will regulate their body temperature by changing behavior. During hot summer days, pikas may become inactive in order to minimize any increase in body temperature. In fact, as a crepuscular species, red pikas generally avoid activity during the daytime and are most active at dusk (Ognev, 1940). Pikas may also alter their home range to be close to cooler temperatures (Smith, 1981). During summer months and early fall, pikas busily collect food for the winter. Red pikas have been observed adding plants to their hay stacks 20 to 30 times per hour. During winter months, pikas do not hibernate but may decrease their above snow activity levels. During this time they rely strongly on their hay-stacks for food. Very little is known about the daily activities or energy expenditures of red pikas during the winter (Angermann, 1975). (Angermann, 1975; Smith, 1981)

Red pikas typically have a large home range as compared to other tallus-dwelling pikas. This is because red pikas will only feed on vegetation that is less than 2 m from the talus edge. As a result they occupy large home ranges to ensure an adequate food supply. The average size of a red pika territory is unknown. (Smith, et al., 1990)

Most pikas rely strongly on vocalizations for communication. In contrast, red pikas are not very vocal. They do not have a typical alarm call to warn of approaching predators. Instead, red pikas will hide under rocks from their predators. In some cases they have been heard making chattering sounds, similar to the call of Ochotona hyperborea, while hiding from a predator. It has also been observed that mates will make chirping sounds when they meet. Pikas also secrete scent from a scent gland to mark their territories. (Smith, et al., 1990)

Red pikas are herbivores and feed on the blossoms, green leaves, and young shoots of grasses and other plants when available. Red pikas have been observed eating Epilobium and wild cranesbill (Ognev, 1940). In the fall, when green food becomes unavailable, they will switch their diets to more woody debris (Angermann, 1975). As a non-hibernating species, pika need to ensure they can access enough food during winter months when food is scarce. They do this by collecting grasses in hay piles throughout the late summer and early fall that they will eat during winter months. To avoid risk of predation red pikas do not forage more than two meters from talus areas. They feed mainly from small outcroppings of vegetation growing between stones. In order to have an adequate food supply, red pikas have larger home ranges than other talus-dwelling pikas (Smith et al. 1990). (Angermann, 1975; Ognev, 1940; Smith, et al., 1990)

Pikas have many predators, including birds of prey, canids, and weasels. One species that specializes on the predation of red pikas is Mustela erminea, short-tailed weasels. Where they overlap with red pikas, 19% of short-tailed weasel scat has been found to contain red pika fur (Sludskiy and Strautman, 1980). Possibly in response to predation, red pikas do not forage farther than two meters from the edge of the talus. (Sludskiy and Strautman, 1980)

As previously stated, pikas are an important food source for many local predators, including birds of prey, canids, and weasels. Although red pika populations tend to be small and well dispersed, they remain a common food source for predators such as short-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea). Pikas can also act as an important food source for local artiodactyl populations who will feed on their hay stacks in the winter if they can be found (Smith et al. 1990) (Smith, et al., 1990)

As non-burrowing pikas that do not graze on agricultural crops, red pikas have been of little to no economic importance for humans. The home ranges of red pikas tend to be larger than those of other talus-dwelling pikas because of their particular food habits, feeding only on vegetation found within two meters of a rocky substrate. As a result, populations of red pikas tend to have very low densities and would therefore not be of economic importance to fur harvesters or a hindrance to farmers (Smith et al. 1990).

There are no known negative effects of red pikas on humans.

Despite their small population, there is nothing that suggests that red pika populations are declining (Smith et al. 1990). Also, Ochotona rutila is not listed under CITES or IUCN. However, there has been little study to date on red pikas.