On Feb 28, Nie Wei, a science popularization staff of Helan Mountain National Forest Park in Ningxia, captured the world's most endangered species of Helan Mountain pika in the park.
Helan Mountain pika [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]
Due to the small number of pika on Helan Mountain, no special investigation has been carried out yet, but the species has been found five times in the wild since 2017. This is the first time the species has recorded in the park in six years.
Helan Mountain pika [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]
One of the world's most endangered species, the Helan Mountain pika, falls into the category of lagomorpha, and is also known as Ochotona dauurica and Ochotona alpina Pallas. It is a national second-class protected wild animal. According to the records, the Helan Mountain pika is the largest pika in China, weighing 176-236 grams. Its ears are round and its limbs are thick. In winter, its back is silvery white, with light iron gray fur; its belly hair is white with slight yellow coloring. In summer, the fur turns red, with a rusty red plaque on the neck below the ear.
Helan Mountain pika [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]
Pika mainly inhabit the mountain gravel belt at altitudes of over 2,000 meters. They are only found at the top of Helan Mountain ridge at the border of Ningxia and Inner Mongolia, with a very limited distribution range.