The Ili pika is an adorable endangered species
- Pet Pals TV team
- 18 minutes ago
- 2 min read
From Howstuffworks.com
Imagine a creature that combines the cuteness of a teddy bear with the charm of a rabbit, all wrapped up in the size of a terrier. Meet the Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis), a rare animal that has made its home in the Tian Shan mountains of northwestern China.
In 1983, a scientist named Li Weidong stumbled upon a tiny, gray creature poking its head out from a cluster of rocks while exploring the Xinjiang Province in northwest China. This encounter marked the first recorded sighting of the Ili pika.
Intrigued by what looked like a short-eared rabbit, Li captured a specimen and sent it to the Chinese Academy of Sciences for examination. The academy believed that it was a new species and named it after Li's hometown, Ili.
The Ili pika — measuring about 8 inches (20 cm) in length with large ears and short, gray fur spotted with brown — quickly became a subject of interest for scientists. However, subsequent attempts to locate more of the rare animal in the area proved challenging.
It took another two years for Li to find additional specimens and provide further evidence of the species' existence.
The Ili pika lives at relatively high altitudes, preferring elevations between 9,200 and 13,450 feet (2,804 to 4,100 meters) in the Tian Shan mountains. It has adapted to survive in this harsh environment by subsisting on an herbivorous diet, consisting of mostly mountain plants, herbs and grass. This specialized diet allows the Ili pika to thrive in its rocky habitat, utilizing gaps and holes in cliff faces as dens.
However, the Ili pika's habitat is under threat. Increased grazing pressure from livestock and the effects of global warming have contributed to the decline in the species' population. As temperatures rise, glaciers recede, and the Ili pika is forced to retreat to higher elevations to find areas with permanent snow.
This limited range and the loss of suitable habitat pose significant challenges to the species' survival.
For more about this cute critter, visit
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