American pika

Ochotona princeps

A small pika of western North American alpine rock fields, with round ears, short limbs, and hay-storing behavior.

Key facts

American pika (Ochotona princeps) is a herbivore animal classified as Mammal · Lagomorpha · Ochotonidae.
Primary habitats are mountains · grassland, with a range across Nearctic.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
A small pika of western North American alpine rock fields, with round ears, short limbs, and hay-storing behavior.
Occurs in alpine and subalpine talus, rock fields, and meadow edges where cool crevices lie close to foraging areas.

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Occurs in alpine and subalpine talus, rock fields, and meadow edges where cool crevices lie close to foraging areas.

The body is rounded, ears are short and round, and the tail is barely visible. Gray-brown fur blends with rock.

Active by day, it gives sharp calls to mark territory. From summer to autumn it cuts plants and stores hay piles under rocks.

Forbs, sedges, flowers, and leaves are eaten. Stored plants are dried and used as winter food.

Nests are placed in rock crevices, and small litters are born from spring into summer. Young develop in the nest before emerging.

The species is low-risk overall, but heat sensitivity makes some low-elevation populations vulnerable to warming.