What is a Pika?

The pika is a small member of the lagomorph family, which makes it a relative of rabbits and hares. They are also known as mouse hares or conies. They live in Eurasia and western North America. Pikas have fine, dense fur, which is usually is usually a mixture of gray and brown. They have very round ears. Like other lagomorphs, pikas live in burrows. While some pikas burrow in forest areas, such as in old logs or tree stumps, most pikas make their homes in areas of exposed broken rock. They prefer rocky areas that are close to vegetation, which they collect for food.

Pikas can be seen during the day and night. They are often seen sunning themselves on rocks. They collect native plants, especially flowers and grasses, which they carefully layer in a hay pile inside their burrow. They often dry these materials in the sun before storing them. This hay pile sustains them through winter months when fresh vegetation is not readily available. While some pikas create several small hay piles, most create just one large one within their burrow.

Pikas are territorial animals, even though their territories may be very small. Males are especially territorial during the breeding season. Territorial squabbles also erupt during peak plant harvesting season, since resources may be limited, and large quantities of hay are needed for winter. Some pikas live in large colonies, which may be extended family groups. Both males and females scent-mark their territories, much as rabbits do. Both sexes are also capable of territorial or warning calls to other pikas.

Pikas usually breed in spring and summer. Until that time, most pikas are fairly solitary, and males and females live apart from one another. The gestational period is approximately one month. Most litters consist of about five babies. Pikas usually begin breeding when they are two years old. Some females will produce three to five litters per year. Others will only have one or two litters. Newborn pikas are tiny, helpless, and naked. They are weaned after thirty days, and at that time they leave the burrow to seek out their own territory, which is usually close to that of their parents.

The average life expectancy for a pika is five years. Because pikas prefer to live in wild areas, they do not come into contact with humans very often. As with all animals, there is concern that habitat destruction may be taking place in some areas of the pika's range.