Pika

A pika is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal native to Asia and North America. With short limbs, a very round body, an even coat of fur, and no external tail, they resemble their close relative the rabbit, but with short, rounded ears. The large-eared pika of the Himalayas and nearby mountains lives at elevations of more than 6,000 m (20,000 ft).

The name pika appears to be derived from the Tungusic piika, and the scientific name Ochotona is derived from the Mongolian word ogotno (оготно), which means 'pika'. It is used for any member of the Ochotonidae, a family within the order of lagomorphs, the order which also includes the Leporidae (rabbits and hares). They are the smallest animal in the lagomorph group.

Pikas prefer rocky slopes and graze on a range of plants, primarily grasses, flowers, and young stems. In the autumn, they pull hay, soft twigs, and other stores of food under rocks to eat during the long, cold winter. The pika is also known as the whistling hare because of its high-pitched alarm call it gives when alarmed. The two species found in North America are the American pika, found primarily in the mountains of the western United States and far southwestern Canada, and the collared pika of northern British Columbia, the Yukon, western Northwest Territories and Alaska.

Habitat

Pikas live in cold places in Asia and North America. Most of them stay on rocky mountain sides where they can hide in small cracks. Some pikas dig simple holes for homes, and a few live on open steppe land. In the mountains of Eurasia, pikas sometimes share their homes with birds called snowfinches. Because of changing temperatures, some pikas now live at even higher mountains.

Characteristics

Pikas are small animals with short legs and rounded ears. They are about 15 to 23 cm (5.9 to 9.1 in) long and weigh between 120 and 350 g (4.2 and 12.3 oz), depending on the type.

These animals eat many kinds of plants, such as leaves, grasses, and shrubs. They also eat moss and lichens. Some pikas store dead birds in their homes for winter food and sometimes eat the waste of other animals. Like rabbits, pikas have special teeth for chewing and their paws are covered in fur.

Activity

Pikas are active during the day or at dawn and dusk, especially in colder areas. They stay busy all winter long, moving through tunnels under rocks and snow, eating plants they saved earlier. They gather food in two ways: eating right away or storing it in special piles called "haypiles."

Pikas don't sleep through the winter like bears. Instead, they collect grasses and plants, storing them in safe spots to eat later. When they think humans might be dangerous, they act careful and cautious. This can mean less time to gather food for winter. Pikas like cooler weather, staying in the shade when it's too hot. Warmer temperatures can cut down on their time to find food. Some pikas live in family groups, sharing tasks, while others live alone outside of breeding time.

Vocalization

Pikas make different sounds to communicate with each other. These sounds can be short and quick, longer and drawn out, or even long songs. They use these calls to recognize each other, warn about danger, defend their area, or attract friends. The sounds they make can change with the seasons—more songs in spring and shorter calls in late summer. Scientists study these sounds to learn more about pikas.

Calls

Lifespan

Pikas that live in the wild usually live about seven years. Scientists can guess a pika's age by looking at special lines on a bone in its lower jaw. Both male and female pikas tend to live about the same length of time.

Taxonomy

Main article: List of ochotonids

Pikas are small, mountain-dwelling mammals with short limbs, round bodies, and even coats of fur. They resemble rabbits but have short, rounded ears and no visible tail. There are 29 different kinds of pikas alive today, grouped into three main categories:

• Mountain pikas: These include species like the Chinese red pika, Forrest's pika, and the large-eared pika, which lives at very high altitudes in the Himalayas.
• Shrub-steppe pikas: This group has species such as the Gansu pika, Plateau pika, and Daurian pika.
• Northern pikas: These include the Alpine pika, Collared pika, and American pika, among others.

Scientists have also found many ancient pika fossils from millions of years ago, showing that pikas once lived in places they don't today, like parts of Europe and North America. These fossils help us understand how pikas have changed over time.