Plateau pika

The plateau pika , also known as the black-lipped pika, is a small diurnal and non-hibernating mammal weighing about 140g when full grown. Their main habitat is at elevations of 3200 to 5300 meters above sea level in the meadows of the Tibetan Plateau, an area that contains harsh climates which are cold and dry with temperatures that go as low as -14 degrees Celsius. They are also found in Pakistan, India, and in Nepal in high alpine deserts, steppes and meadows. Plateau pikas are considered to be a keystone species as they play a role in recycling nutrients in soil, providing food to predators such as; foxes, weasels, falcons, Asia pole cat, upland buzzard, and owls. They also provide microhabitats by increasing plant richness and their burrows provides nests for small birds and reptiles.