Pika collect this vegetation in “haystacks,” which they build in their burrows to store food for winter. Pika are herbivores, and their diet consists mostly of grasses, sedges, and other plant material. By taking these steps, we can help ensure that pika will be able to thrive in their natural habitat for years to come. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting against development and recreation, and minimizing fire risk. In order to protect pika habitat, it is important to reduce human-caused impacts on alpine ecosystems. Pika populations have declined in recent years, and they are now classified as a species of concern. Pika are sensitive to changes in their environment, and their habitat is threatened by climate change. They build nests of grass and other vegetation, which they use for shelter from the cold winter months. Pika are small, gerbil-like mammals that live in alpine meadows and rocky areas in the western United States. Overall, pikas are an intriguing creature worthy of study and protection. Their role as grazers helps to keep plant populations in check, and they feed a variety of species like birds and small mammals. Despite their relatively small size and reclusive nature, pikas are an important part of the ecosystem of mountain ranges across the world. They move quickly and rarely come down from the mountains, so they are rarely seen by humans. Pika are social animals that live in large colonies and gather food together, typically by carrying it back to their dens in the rocks. They have thick fur that helps them to survive in cold, high-altitude environments, and they can easily withstand temperatures well below freezing. ![]() Pikas are related to rabbits and hares.Pika are small, rabbit-like animals that are native to mountainous regions of Asia and North America.They live in rocky areas in the mountains.Pikas collect and store food for the winter.The female weans the young at 3 to 4 weeks after birth. The have a fast growth rate and reach adult size when they are only 3 months old. The young are completely dependent on their mother for at least 18 days. Pika's will give birth to a litter of 2-5 young. The gestation period is thirty days long (one month). They may breed twice a year depending on their location. The Pikas mating season is from April to July. These haypiles are used to supplement their diet during the harsh winter months. The haypiles are cached (stored) on open surfaces or under rocks within their territory. Pikas utilize two distinct foraging styles: open foraging (feeding) and food collection and caching (haying).ĭuring the summer, they cache vegetation in haypiles composed of tall grasses and forbes. Pikas spend part of the day feeding and haying. The short call is given as an alarm call to alert other pikas of avain predators and as a territory defense call. They spend part of their time looking out for predators, defending the territory and protecting their stored food. They can be quiet when a weasel is nearby to avoid being detected. The Pika will bark if they are scared and to warn other animals of danger that is near. Pikas live in colonies divided into individual territories that they actively defend. They feed on alpine grasses, sedges, thistles, fireweed, cushion plants and lichens. ![]() ![]() It survives the cold winter by eating dried vegetation they have stored away in haypiles. What they eat: The Pika is herbivore that stays active year round even in winter. In Washington, the Pika is found living around talus slopes, rock piles, or boulder slides.įound in the Cascades and northeast regions of Washington.Ĭlick the range map to learn more about the distribution of Pika in Washington. They are often found at the interface between meadow habitat and open rocky terrain. Pikas are found in the rocky terrain in the mountain regionsįrom central British Columbia to South-Central California and east to Colorado. The body is egg-shaped and the underside is a buffy color.īody length: 162 to 216 mm (6 to 8.5 in). ![]() Pikas have rounded ears, light brown and gray fur, long whiskers and no visible tails. Rabbits, hares and pikas are related species. They are related to rabbits but are are about the size of large hamsters. NatureMapping Animal Facts for Kids American PikaĪmerican Pikas are hearty small mammals who live in rock piles in the mountains of western North America. American Pika Facts for Kids - NatureMapping
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