Ezo pika is a kind of pika that can only be seen in Japan. This rabbit can be seen in Hokkaido’s Kitami Mountains, Daisetsu Mountains, Yubari Mountains, and Hidaka Mountains. Despite its small body, it is a very tough animal that has survived in the cold environment of Hokkaido. Their short ears make them look more like guinea pigs than rabbits. It is known that the Ezo pika population has been declining in recent years, and it is designated as a near-threatened species.
habitat
Ezo pika can only be seen in Hokkaido, Japan. This rabbit can be seen in Hokkaido’s Kitami Mountains, Daisetsu Mountains, Yubari Mountains, and Hidaka Mountains.
Characteristics
Ezo pika is a small rabbit, 10-20cm long and weighing 60-150g. This rabbit is a small mammal belonging to the Lagomorpha pika family, and is considered to be a subspecies of the Rhododendron hare. Their fur is reddish-brown in summer and grey-brown to dark-brown in winter, making them look like completely different creatures. Their short ears can make them look more like mice than rabbits. It wasn’t until 1928 that the Ezo Pika became widely known after it was captured in Oketo Town. The Ezo pika was known as a pest that destroyed forests at the time, but because of its cute appearance, more and more people came to Hokkaido for animal tourism. Ezo pikas are very cautious and timid, so they rarely appear in front of humans. Ezo pikas live in mountainous areas at altitudes of 1500m to 1900m. Ezo pikas are small and have many predators, so they live in groups to protect themselves.
ecology
Ezo pikas live by eating leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits. These rabbits do not hibernate, but hoard food to survive the winter. The breeding mode is viviparous. The breeding season takes place once a year from spring to summer, and one to five litters can be born each time. This rabbit can live for about 2-3 years.
endangered species
Because the Pika is a very small rabbit, it can be preyed on by other animals. Furthermore, there is a danger of extinction due to the fact that the habitat is infinitely limited and the population itself is very small in the first place. The pika has a low reproductive rate and a very high abortion rate. It is said that baby pikas have a very high mortality rate after they are born. The reason is that there are few rock caves in Hokkaido where natural predators can escape, and many of them cannot survive the harsh winter. Due to this very special habitat, it is designated as a near-threatened species.
Breeding
Ezo pika is an animal with a very small population, and it is said that it is very difficult to raise because it rarely appears in front of humans. See it at the zoo or go to Japan.
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