lli Pika is one of the rarest and most adorable animals on Earth

Pikas as a whole are pretty cute. Run into them a lot in the Rockies.

It’s funny that Pikachu is one of the most recognizable characters in the world but many people have no idea this animal exists

I‘m not sure if I‘d call that fact fun :(

Just wait until you hear a Pika's battle cry at 0:58!!

There are also Pika in North America.

The Ili pika or magic rabbit (Ochotona iliensis) is a species of mammal in the family Ochotonidae, endemic to northwest China. After its discovery in 1983, it was studied for a decade.

Increased temperatures, likely from global warming, and increased grazing pressure may have caused the rapid decline in population, along with air pollution.

According to IUCN last assessed in 2018, the Ili pika is now considered an endangered species, with approximately fewer than 1,000 left.

Almost nothing is known about the ecology or behavior of the species.  The Ili pika has low population densities. It is mostly a diurnal species, but may exhibit nocturnal activity. Two litters are initiated each breeding season, in which two young are found in a nest, but only one is successful. The second litter is conceived following a post-partum estrus- when their mother's fat reserves have been already used up. Therefore, the second litter is abandoned due to the limitation of resources needed to nurture them.

The species was first observed by conservationist Li Weidong in 1983. After three years of research, Li and his team named it the Ili pika, after the area where it is found, the Ili Prefecture on the far west side of China's Xinjiang province. The animal was not observed again until May 2014 (again by Li). Up to 2015, a total of 29 live sightings were reported.

There were three specimens captured that were observed and used to describe the species in 1986. Additionally, There were studies conducted within the decade to learn more about the species. These studies involved physical presence in the sites where Ili pikas had been thought to be present. These studies were not successful since there were few to no pika's available at various sites. There are total 6 known regions where the ili pika reside, out which, in 2 regions they were already extinct when they were first discovered, now they are extinct in 3 out of 6.

Its population has been reduced by 70% within 15 years. Population declines have been observed for several locations inhabited by this species. A recent census indicated that the Ili pika may have been extirpated from the Jilimalale and Hutubi South Mountains. Populations have declined in the regions of Jipuk, Tianger Apex, and Telimani Daban. Only one examined site, the Bayingou region of Xinjiang Uygur, showed signs of previously observed abundance. An estimated 2,000 mature individuals existed in the early 1990s. The exact causes for recently observed population declines are not known with certainty, but it is speculated that an increase in grazing pressure and global atmospheric pollution resulting in climate change are negatively affecting populations. It has been suggested that a warming climate has increased the presence of vegetation and animal species from lower elevations in the pika's habitat, leading to a larger number of attendant predators (e.g. foxes) to which pika populations had not so far been exposed. Researchers also believe that some other reasons for the decline in the Ila pika population may be disease throughout the species or increased human activity in the area. Low population densities and reproductive rates coupled with the relatively limited ability to disperse impede the ability of the species to recover from declines. One study of captive animals suggests that the species has some capacity to adapt its feeding habits to lower elevations. The high temperatures in the mountains due to climate change are causing the Ili pika to migrate up and will eventually be forced to reach the peak, where it is occupied, and sooner the Ili pika will no longer have anywhere to go. There are no known conservation measures in place for the Ili pika.

wiki/Ili_pika

It's like a dog, a cat, and a rat all combined into a single animal for peak cuteness.

According to Wikipedia, they’re also referred to as “magic rabbit” 🥰

Maybe a specific type of Pika that's in China? I saw them quite frequently above treeline when in Colorado.

Edit: it is indeed a different species of pika. Still just as cute!