FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Among 29-37 different species of mountain-dwelling mammals are the pikas. While few species of pikas are Extinct, the Afghan pika (Ochotona rufescens) is one of the active species in Asia. The distribution of Afghan pikas is classified into three subspecies including Ochotona rufescens rufescens, Ochotona rufescens regina, and Ochotona rufescens shukurovoi. The animal was first documented by John Edward Gray in 1842.
The species of pikas (Ochotona) are quite similar in appearance because pikas are small mammals with round ears, a barely visible tail, and short front and rear legs. Also, the fur is long and soft usually with brown or gray plumage and a red iridescence. Similarly, Afghan pika males and females are monomorphic animals with varying pelage in the summer and winter. The behavior of pikas is diurnal as they are generally active during the daytime. The type locality of the Ochotona rufescens is documented to be India and Kabul at an elevation range up to 6000-8000 ft (1829-2438 m), the populations of these rock dwellers from the Ochotonidae group can be seen burrowing within the habitat range of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.
If the uniqueness of the Afghan pika makes you interested to read more about similar species, you can read about gerbil and marsupial mole.
The Afghan pika animal is a lagomorph and is closely related to rabbits and hares. It is recorded to have three subspecies identified which are the Ochotona rufescens rufescens, Ochotona rufescens regina, and Ochotona rufescens shukurovoi. This species of pikas were first reported by British zoologist John Edward Gray in 1842. Pikas are terrestrial animals or rock-dwellers living in burrows.
The Afghan pika belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Lagomorpha, family Ochotonidae, and the genus Ochotona.
There are 33 active species of pikas around the northern and central parts of the world, however the population of the Afghan pika is not quantified. Also, pikas are listed as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Pikas are generally threatened by their predators including birds of prey and other wild mammals, but the animals do not qualify for a higher risk category. Pikas are known for their high rate of reproduction as females produce 1-11 young animals for up to five litters in their breeding season.
While Afghan pikas are native to Kabul, they range from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, and Iran. Also, these animals are recorded as far as in northern Armenia.
The Ochotonidae's favorable habitat is in rocky mountains or areas with rocks, regions with vegetation usually made up of grasses. Also, the pika lives at high elevations ranging within 6000-8000 ft (1829-2438 m). While pikas range around northern American and Central Asian states, they are native to temperate forests, living in burrows occurring mostly around the spring months.
Afghan pikas are believed to live in small family groups. Also, pikas work in groups to watch for predators and communicate danger to the members of their groups through sharp whistles.
The life span of the Afghan pika is unrecorded, while the life span of pikas is recorded to range up to eight years on average. The age of a pika is determined by the number of adhesion lines on the periosteal bone on its lower jaw.
The breeding season and behavior vary according to the habitat quality of the pika and pikas breed in the burrow. The Afghan pika is recorded to have a high rate of reproduction as it produces about 1-11 young in a litter on average for up to five litters during its breeding season. While animals in the Ochotonidae family, in general, have a gestation period ranging up to 30 days, the gestation period of the Afghan pika is unrecorded. Also, the pika breeds from late April to early July but the Afghan pika does not have a specific breeding season. Males and females ensure a healthy diet for their pups for the initial 30 days of grooming.
The Afghan pika is listed as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While the pika has no major risk, it is threatened by predators like birds of prey or other wild mammals. Also, an accurate number of Afghan pikas is not recorded.
The Afghan pika is a small mammal and monomorphic in nature, meaning the female and male are identical. The pika has a cream-white colored pelage during the summer, while it has heavy brown fur during the winter. Also, it has a small head, rounded ears, short and furred legs, and a tail.
* We've been unable to source an image of Afghan pika and have used an image of American pika instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Afghan pika, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].
With a cute and small body size, the Afghan pika is considered one of the most adorable species.
The Afghan pika communicates through chemical cues or vocalizations. While the types of vocalizations are not known, it is speculated they use whistling sounds.
The Afghan pika has a small body size with its length varying up to 4.7-11.8 in (12-30 cm). It is 10 times the body size of a European rabbit which has an average length between 14-20 in (35.5-51 cm).
With a small body size, the Afghan pika is speculated to move at a considerable speed, but the speed is unrecorded. In general, pikas are reported to run at a speed of about 15 mph (24 kph).
The Afghan pika weighs up to 4.4-17.6 oz (125-500 g), but the young pup at birth weighs roughly 0.3 oz (9 g).
The Afghan pika female and Afghan pika male do not have names differentiating their sex.
The Afghan pika baby can be referred to as a pup.
The Afghan pika is a herbivore, primarily folivore. The pika gathers hay piles and restocks twice a year. Plants including thistles and xeric are its primary food. The Aghan pika also has a bad reputation for stealing food, mostly plants, and begging from other burrows.
No, the pika is not dangerous, but are considered agricultural pests because they feed on food crops and orchard plants growing within its range. It is speculated to make hay piles and store the dried piles away in its burrow.
No, the pika does not make a good pet. The pika is known for its adaptability to survive at high elevations from 6000-8000 ft (1829-2438 m) and it prefers colder environments. Also, pikas are gregarious animals and prefer to live in groups.
The word 'pika' is translated as 'whistling hare' in English speculating the use of whistling sounds to communicate.
The Afghan pika is considered an important member of the native ecosystem.
The whistling sounds and their role in the native ecosystem highlight the uniqueness of Afghan pikas.
No, Afghan pikas are not endangered and do not qualify for a higher risk category as they are listed in the Least Concern category. However, the population of Afghan pikas in Small Balkan Ridge, the Balkan Mountains is speculated to be Endangered. Also, pikas have a high rate of reproduction meaning there is no current threat to their population.
The Afghan pika usually calls to communicate and warn other members of its group about a predator. While it is speculated to use chemical cues, we do not fully understand the vocalizations of pikas.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our nutria facts and gopher facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Afghan pika coloring pages.
Main image by Donald Hobern
Second image by Marshal Hedin
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.