High Up in the Mountains Pikas Make Their Home

by Isabella Flores, age 7

The American Pika, or the Ochotona princeps, is a rodent-like mammal. This animal lives in North America. Their habitat is located in alpine terrain, high up in caves and cliffs, west of the Rocky Mountains.

Pikas have black and brown fur, which helps them camouflage among objects of similar colors, such as rocks. Their ears are shaped like half a heart, and they have a thick layer of fur covering their tails.

Pikas collect flowers, grass, and weeds to survive during the winter. During summer, they lay plants in the sun to dry out before storing them in their dens so they don’t rot during the winter. Pikas live in groups inside caves to protect each other. They alert one another of predators such as hawks, weasels, and coyotes by making a high-pitched squeak.

Pikas can live up to seven or eight years; however, they often die after three to four years. Pikas have a thick coat of fur that helps them stay warm during the winter; however, they shed some of their fur to stay cool during the summer.

Pikas are interesting and resourceful creatures; however, their survival continues to be threatened by environmental changes. Conserving their habitats and monitoring their populations will be important to ensure their success moving forward.

[Source: National Wildlife Federation]