Rearing of Plateau pika (Ochotona daurica) captured in Mongolia

We attempted to rear and breed Plateau pikas (Ochotona daurica) captured in Mongolia in 1994 and 1995. In rearing indoors, though coitus was observed, none of the females became pregnant. In rearing outdoors, males began to make high-pitched, continuous cries and the first offspring (3 newborns) were obtained in June, 1997. The body weight averaged 8.4 g at birth, and 75.8 g at 4 weeks of age. They were weaned at 4 weeks of age. In August the testes, which had descended into the scrotum, atrophied. In September, the atrophied testes returned to the abdominal cavity. These results indicate that breeding of plateau pikas is possible when they are reared outdoors, and they have a specific reproductive season.