Background: The Tibetan plateau is one of the most important grazing ecosystems in the world. [1] It’s home to grazing animals such as the domesticated yak (Bos grunniens).[2]  Many other animals inhabit these grasslands including the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). 

The plateau pika is a keystone species as they are prey for many terrestrial predators. [3] Their burrows provide shelter and nesting sites and their foraging has been thought to be beneficial to the plant community.[4]

Although a keystone species, they are extensively poisoned in organised governmental poisoning programs as many think they are a main cause of the degradation of the grasslands.[5]

The climate on the Tibetan plateau is harsh with extreme long winters.  Heavy snowfall, rough snow storms and high wind speeds can quickly decrease forage ability.[6]  With lows of -37.1 C the Tibetan plateau is a difficult environment to inhabit.[7]

The aim of this study was to find overwinter survival strategies and determine the diet choice of the plateau pika.