This species is within subgenus Ochotona. There are no recognized subspecies Ochotona curzoniae. This species was formerly included by some treatments in O. dauurica. The form melanostoma is a synonym of this species (Smith et al. 1990). Ochotona curzoniae is possibly sister taxa to O. nubrica (Lissovsky 2014).

Listed as Least Concern. This is a widespread species that occurs in protected areas, but the current status of Chinese populations is declining due to aggressive poisoning campaigns designed to eradicate the species.

Ochotona curzoniae can be found throughout the Tibetan Plateau. The geographic distribution extends through northern Nepal and Sikkim, India, north into Xizang, and the western regions of Sichuan, Qinghai and the southern regions of Xinjiang, and Gansu. It occurs at elevations of 3,000-5,000 m.

There are no data regarding the overall current status of Ochotona curzoniae populations. It is inferred that declines have resulted during widespread poisoning of pikas throughout its range to control population sizes (Smith et al. 1990, Delibes-Mateos et al. 2011, Wilson and Smith 2015).

Ochotona curzoniae is a burrow-dwelling species of pika. This species occurs in "high alpine desert, steppe and meadows" (Smith et al. 1990). Competition of habitat results in the exclusion of O. cansus in areas where it and O. curzoniae are sympatric. O. curzoniae is exclusively an herbivore. This species of pika is considered a highly social animal (Smith and Wang `991, Dobson et al. 1998, 2000). It is predominantly a diurnal species. Average home range for O. curzoniae is 1,375 ± 206 square meters (Smith and Wang 1991). Densities drop during winter to yearly lows in the spring, but increase during the summer to approximately 380/ha (Smith et al. 1990). The breeding season for this species extends from April, possibly into late August (Smith et al. 1990). O. curzoniae has three to five litters per year with two to eight young per litter. Young become reproductively active the summer of their birth (Smith and Wang 1991). Generation length is estimated to be 1.2 years for O. curzoniae. Total length is 14.0-19.2 cm.

Ochotona curzoniae is a keystone species of the Tibetan plateau. It is speculated that O. curzoniae contributes to the overall health of alpine meadows by aerating the soil via their burrowing activities (Smith and Foggin 1999). A recent study demonstrated that greater plant species diversity is associated with small-burrowing mammals (O. curzoniae and Alticola stoliczkanus) of the Trans-Himalayan plateau (Bagchi et al. 2006). It is also an important component of the prey base for many carnivores within their geographic range (Lai and Smith 2003, Delibes-Mateos et al. 2011). Burrows constructed by O. curzoniae serve as homes for lizards and small birds on the Tibetan plateau (Smith and Foggin 1999).

Ochotona curzoniae is the target of mass control in an effort to eliminate competition for vegetation with livestock (Smith et al. 1990, Smith and Foggin 1999, Delibes-Mateos et al. 2011, Smith and Wilson 2015).

It is known to be present in Annapurna CP in western Nepal, Zhumulangmafeng, Qiangtang, Kekexili, Sanjiangyuan, and Aerjinshan Nature Reserves of China. O. curzoniae is a keystone species of the Tibetan plateau, one whose decline as a result of poisoning negatively impacts species richness and abundance (Smith and Foggin 1999, Delibes-Mateos et al. 2011, Smith and Wilson 2015). Therefore, current efforts to exterminate this species in China should be curtailed. In China, this species has been regionally Red Listed as Least Concern.