Collared Pika

Ochotona collaris

General Status Rank: 
Sensitive
ELCODE: 
AMAEA01010
Common Name: 
Collared Pika
Scientific Name: 
Ochotona collaris
Synonyms: 
Ochotona collaria
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Lagomorpha
Family: 
Ochotonidae
References: 
BSC2
General Biology

Economic/Human Considerations

Tourism in Mackenzie Mountains (watching and hearing).
References: 
B001
H111
Habitat
Rocky talus slopes, typically above the tree line.
References: 
B001
H111
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Boreal Cordillera
References: 
B001

Distribution

160,944 km2 (actual habitat used (rocky habitat - scree slope)). 44% of the Taiga Cordillera Ecozone = 92,155 km2 of potential habitat for collared pika in NWT.
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
R211

Number of Occurrences

65 specimen locations and observations (as of 2011: R211), up to 80 sites at least (S. Carriere). Minimum 13 new observations from Naats'ihch'oh National Park Reserve from summer 2023. Detailed records in WMIS (H191, H244).
Score: 
C = 2
References: 
H191
H244
R211

Area of Occupancy

No information but likely unchanged (stable).
Score: 
-
References: 
H111
Population

Population Size

If 70 per site (R211): 4,000 to 10,500 (very rough estimate).
References: 
H111
Trends

Trends

Unknown
References: 
H111
Threats

Threats

Predation by ermine, raptors; no other threats known except climate change.
Score: 
B = H
References: 
H111

Intrinsic Vulnerability

None known
Score: 
-
References: 
H111
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Sensitive
Status Rank Description: 
Due to restricted distribution and presumed small population.
S Rank: 
S3
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted based on comments by A. Veitch. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Special Concern
Designated Special Concern in November 2011. (COSEWIC. 2011. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the collared pika Ochotona collaris in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. x + 50 pp.)
References: 
R211

Canada – Species at Risk Legal Status

SARA Status: 
Special Concern

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • COSEWIC (2011) COSEWIC Status Report on the Collared Pika in Canada. EC copy on ENR drive - R211 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Tate, D (2006) NWT mammal records. e-mail to S Carriere 7/4/2006 in binder and e-folder - H191 Return
  • Nagy, John (2010) Pika obs, email sent to S Carriere on Mon 08/11/2010 18:53. printed in binder - H244 Return
  • COSEWIC (2011) COSEWIC Status Report on the Collared Pika in Canada. EC copy on ENR drive - R211 Return

Population Size

Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Range Extent

  • COSEWIC (2011) COSEWIC Status Report on the Collared Pika in Canada. EC copy on ENR drive - R211 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don. E and Ruff, S. (eds) (1999) The Smithsonian book of North American mammals. UBC Press 750 pp. RWED Library Call#QL715.S64 - BSC2 Return

Threats

  • Veitch A (1999) Personal Communication. Supervisor, Wildlife Management, RWED, Norman Wells - H111 Return