The Play of the Turuchan Pika (Ochotonaturuchanensis Naumov 1934, Ochotonidae, Lagomorpha) in the Wild

For the first time, all three types of play (locomotor, object, and social) have been recorded and described for wild representatives of the family Ochotonidae of the order Lagomorpha. Observations have been carried out at a separate settlement of pikas in the Irkutsk district of Irkutsk oblast (Russia). A total of 15 episodes of play were recorded for seven of the 14 animals observed, including ones of different sex and age. Eight episodes have been filmed and subjected to frame-by-frame analysis. We consider the recorded pika behavior to be play because it meets Burghardt’s criteria for play. The play of pikas includes elements (jumping, spinning, and falling on the back) that are easily associated with a temporary loss of control over the body.