#ochotonidae

[mammalianmammals]

American Pika (Ochotona princeps), family Ochotonidae, in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada

photograph by Lisa M Jones

[snototter]

A Glovers pika (Ochotona gloveri) feeds on stem grasses in the Tibetan Plateau, China

by Dash Huang

[all-mammal-creechur]

Thomas's Pika Ochotona thomasi

Found on isolated peaks of the eastern Qilian Mountains in Qinghai, Gansu, and northwestern Sichuan, in China. Although its ecology is not well known, it is thought to be similar to that of the Gansu pika.

image by Tim Melling

[lagomorphosting]

For the ones who cares.

Heres the personal list of favorite lagomorphs of the blog owner:

Rabbits:

Absolute favorite:

Amami Rabbit/Ryukyu Rabbit/Amami no kuro- usagi (Pentalagus furnessi)

I think its appearance alone says a lot. Unlike other rabbits, this one retains a primitive form, or the result of not needing to evolve major characteristics by living in a relatively isolated and safe environment such as an island. However, like other isolated species, this also made it vulnerable to changes made to its ecosystems. Victims of habitat loss and introduced species such as mongooses and domestic cats.

Fav Cottontail: Marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)

Although the swamp rabbit is known as the quintessential “aquatic” rabbit, alongside it is the marsh rabbit, which is in fact even more “amphibious” than its companion.

Notable for their short, rounded ears, like those of a mouse, they have no tail and their limbs are short, but very skilled at swimming. They are known to be able to stay submerged for a while and even stick their snouts out to breathe. Another curious characteristic is that they are one of the few rabbits that can move like “cats,” moving their legs normally without the typical rabbit hop.

Least known favorite rabbit: red rock hare. (Genus Pronolagus)

Despite its name, it is considered a rabbit because it is not related to Lepus.

Species inhabiting Africa are notable for their somewhat primitive appearance, although their most distinctive physical feature is their fluffy tails, which come in unusual colors such as black or red. Their lifestyle does not differ from other non-burrowing rabbits. It is said that they share burrows with hyraxes, but I have no evidence to confirm this behavior.

Favorite hare: Snowshoe hare. (Lepus americanus)

One of the “snow hares” native to frozen areas. Also known as the American hare because it is one of the first known for changing its coat to white in winter. Although its most distinctive feature is its long, fluffy legs, which allow it to walk better on thick snow.

They are one of the few species of lagomorphs seen actively consuming meat. They may consume carcasses when food is scarce in winter.

They are also known for their predator-prey population effect with the canadian lynx.

Favorite jackrabbit: White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus towsendii)

One of the most abundant hares in North America, along with the black-tailed jackrabbit. We could also call it its opposite, not only in color but also because it inhabits northern and mountainous areas.

A somewhat large species, its light, almost white coat also turns completely white in winter.

It is not terribly “special” but it is very beautiful. It has a very wise and friendly air about it.

Aditional mention: Mountain hare (Lepus timidus)

One of the European representatives of the leporidae family.

Although greatly overshadowed by the common brown hare, the mountain hare is in fact the hare species with the widest natural distribution, covering much of Europe and Asia, and is also the second leporidae with the widest natural distribution.

It is also the only leporid truly native to the United Kingdom. Although its distribution is smaller and it is usually seen less than the brown hare, in some places, such as Scotland, it is at risk of disappearing.

Like other hares, its coat turns white in winter, making it the only species in Europe to do so. It was the first hare known for this which from Is also known as the "Varying hare", and it was even believed that other hares with the same ability were actually its subspecies.

A very humble creature.

(Special shout-out to its “golden” variant from the Irish island of Rathlin, someone even thinks that irish Hares deserve to be their own full species).

Pikas: None in particular (All of Ochotonidae)

Because it would be unfair to show preference to any of these creatures, they are all amazingly cool, my favorite group of LAGOMORPHS in general, and I wish they were more loved.

Small and round. But brave and tough like the habitats they live in. I could write an entire post about them.

Source:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

[have-you-seen-this-animal]

here have some more - pika - mottled cup moth caterpillar - fruit piercing moth caterpillar - tortoise beetle - empusa fasciata - australian prowfish - chistmas tree worm - tiger butterfly sea slug - phyllodesmium serratum - skeleton panda sea squirt - violet boxer shrimp - harlequin shrimp - telescopefish - pygmy seahorse

Thank you! I'll start at the top and go from there, if I've done one too recently I'll skip.

Have you seen the collared pika (Ochotona collaris)?

I have now

Yes, in photos/videos

Yes, irl

I'm not sure

Voting ended onNov 19, 2024

Photos thanks to caiawatha & sydcannings on iNaturalist!

[lepurcinus]

"Oh yes how I love lagomorphs. Rabbits, ehh hares...rabbits."

Meanwhile the Pikas being the most lagomorphs in existence:

[yulecatt]

pikas <3

[terranlifeform]

An American Pika (Ochotona princeps) alarm calling in California, U.S.

Larry Whiting