Pika

Ochotona princeps

Pikas are small mammals that look like a mix between a rabbit and a mouse. They live in mountainous areas and are known for their loud calls and haypiles.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Pika is a small, stout mammal with a round body and no visible tail, resembling a tiny, tailless rabbit. It has large, round ears and dense, grayish-brown fur that helps it blend into its rocky mountain environment.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderLagomorphaFamilyOchotonidaeGenusOchotona

Pika

Interesting facts

Pikas get all the water they need from the plants they eat, rarely drinking directly!

Pikas often "sunbathe" on warm rocks to heat up their bodies after a chilly night.

These tiny mammals have teeth that grow continuously throughout their entire lives, like rodents.

They can create over 70 different types of sounds to talk with each other!

Special abilities

Pika can build large 'haystacks' of dried plants that helps them store food for the harsh winter months.

Pika has a loud, high-pitched alarm call that helps them warn others of predators approaching their colony.

Pika can live in cold, rocky mountain environments because of their dense fur and high metabolism.

Measurements & details

Length: 16-20 cm
Weight: 0.12-0.17 kg
Lifespan: 3-7 years
Top Speed: 25 km/h
Litter Size: 2-6
Gestation: 28-31 days

Diet & Feeding

Pikas are tiny herbivores that munch on grasses, wildflowers, and other mountain plants.

Primary Foods

grasses
wildflowers
sedges
moss
leaves

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

stoat

Mustela erminea

A swift predator that hunts pikas among the rocks.

eaten by

golden eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

Soars above, snatching pikas from open areas.

depends on

Kentucky bluegrass

Poa pratensis

Essential part of their diet, stored as hay for winter.

shelters

yellow-bellied marmot

Marmota flaviventris

Pikas sometimes use their abandoned burrows for safety.

Traits

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Thermoregulating

Learn about incredible animals that can keep their body temperature just right, no matter how hot or cold it gets outside! They have special ways to stay warm or cool.

Mountain

Discover the amazing plants and animals that call towering mountains and high altitudes their home, adapting to cooler air and rocky slopes.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.