Ochotona forresti

The gray-necked pika belongs to the subgenus <Conothoa>. The classification of this species is rather confusing. The reddish-brown gray-necked pika in Gaoligong Mountain was once regarded as a new species - Gaoligong pika (<Ochotona gaoligongensis>). Molecular biological research results show that it is the gray-necked pika. The gray-necked pika in the southern section of Gaoligong Mountain was once named as another subspecies (<O. forresti osgoodi>), and its black individuals were once named as a new species - black pika (<Ochotona nigritia>). Molecular biological research results show that this black pika belongs to the gray-necked pika. At the same time, some scientists believe that color variation in pikas is common.

This species is listed in the 2013 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ver3.1—Vulnerable (VU).

Domestically, it is distributed in Yunnan and Tibet. Abroad, it is distributed in Myanmar, India and Bhutan.

Generally, it inhabits mountain forests. The origin of this species is northwest of Lijiang, Yunnan.

Gray-necked pikas have different colors in different regions. In the type localities of Lijiang, Yunnan and Chayu, Tibet, the back of the gray-necked pika is mainly gray-black, with a distinct gray-white collar around the neck, and the belly is gray-white. In the northern section of Gaoligong Mountain, the back of the gray-necked pika is reddish brown, with a yellow-white collar around the neck. In the southern section of Gaoligong Mountain, the gray-necked pika is mainly light reddish brown, with a yellow-white collar, but some individuals are all black, with only the neck slightly lighter. The skull is similar to that of the Tibetan pika, without an oval foramen.