Collared Pika
Ochotona collaris
Conservation Concern 3
The Collared Pika is a small relative of rabbits. Its bleating calls are familiar to hikers who venture into rocky alpine country in Yukon. The Collared Pika is a species that evolved in unglaciated Beringia, and is restricted to northwestern North America. Close to 50% of their range is in Yukon. Pikas have been deemed “harbingers of climate change” because of their sensitivity to climate patterns, and may be adversely affected by high snowfall and late snowmelt.
Description 3
Collared Pikas look like small, short-eared rabbits. They are about the size of a small squirrel, and are grey with paler grey patches on their napes and shoulders, which are reminiscent of a collar around the neck.
Typical Habitat 3
Collared Pikas are restricted to alpine talus slopes interspersed with small meadows. The talus-meadow combination offers access to both forage and shelter from predators and weather. Pikas typically do not stray more than 10 m from the edge of the talus slope when foraging.
Threats 3
Because climate change in Yukon is predicted to bring a greater variability in precipitation, the pika’s sensitivity to deep snowpacks and late snowmelt is of concern. This sensitivity, coupled with the fact that their alpine habitat will decline substantially in area as the climate warms, means that the potential for future population declines is substantial.
Did You Know? 3
Even though they live above treeline in Yukon, Collared Pikas do not hibernate. Pikas eat plants, but collect two types of diets in the summer—the rst they eat right away, while the second is stored in ‘haypiles’ within the talus rocks for consumption during winter. They are solitary animals and defend individual territories. Juveniles emerge to the surface at one month of age and disperse to a new territory within days. They reach near-adult size during their rst summer and must establish their own haypile before winter. Pika are often heard before they are seen. Listen for their weak “meep” alarm call when near or crossing rock piles.
Sources and Credits
- (c) sea-kangaroo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by sea-kangaroo
- (c) gailhampshire, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/gails_pictures/23102926260/
- (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
Range Map
iNaturalist.ca Map
| Color | grey, white |
|---|---|
| Animal | Mammal |
| Mammal | Pika (Ochotonidae) |
