Pika

Natural History

Pikas are found at high elevations, and are not very heat tolerant, for this reason they are a good indicator species for climate change within their habitat. Pikas are very vocal animals, using calls and songs to communicate with other members of their colony. They emit high pitched warning calls to signal potential threats. And males will use song to attract females during the mating season. Pikas are individually territorial, so juvenile survival is dependent on their ability to find and colonize a vacant territory, which are scarce. They are often times difficult to spot, due to their camouflage and being quite elusive. However, you may hear their characteristic high pitched “meep” alarm call. Pikas are herbivores, consuming foods such as forbs, grasses, and flowering plants. They harvest and store food for winter consumption, these food stores are called “haystacks.” They are active year-round and survive long winters thanks to their food storage ability. Pikas form mated pairs each Spring and females can give birth to two to four young (called “pups”) twice in a year. These little pups are ready to forage and live on their own by four weeks old!