Ochotona horaceki is a small species of pika of the subgenus Ochotona (theoretically could be considered as), related to the extinct steppe-adapted pikas that during the pleistocene inhabited most of Europe. These European forms are thought to be of the “O. pusilla” species clade, hence, their closest extant relative is unsuprisingly the steppe pika (Ochotona pusilla).

It was found in the western part of the Slovak Karst mountain range, and described in 2004 as a new species based on several unique traits. It lived during the Early Pleistocene (Calabrian), Biharian Small Mammal age.

References:

•  Čermák S. (2004): A New ochotonid (Lagomorpha) from the Early Pleistocene of Slovakia. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paleontologie – Monatshefte. 2004: 662-680.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ochotonids

• Фауны мелких млекопитащи Европы конца раннего – начала среднего плейстоцена (European small mammal faunas during the end of Early – the begining of Middle Pleistocene)