Reader Todd from Arizona sends us Ten Ways of Looking at a Pika, featuring of the adorable American pika (Ochotona princeps) in the order Lagomorpha—along with rabbits and hares. His notes:
Here are a few photos of tribbles … er pikas taken in Olympic NP (the first two) and the Sierra Nevada Mountains (the rest). Pikas resemble mice or small rodents (though are much cuter in my opinion) but are in the order of lagomorphs along with rabbits. They live on steep, rocky mountain slopes and are often seen gathering grasses and leaves for dinner. Unfortunately pikas appear to be highly susceptible to the effects of global warming and several populations in the west are on the decline.You posted a pika photo in August, but it was of the ‘spot the pika’ variety as opposed to these which I’d classify as ‘sexy pikas of summer’.
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Pikah!
-achuu!
Gesundheit!
b&
Nice! I love the pikas — their little cheep always reminds me of being in wonderful places in the mountains.
That third from last pic, seemingly staring off at a vista, is particularly great. Those who want to ponder why they’re here should set that as their computer wallpaper.
such a stolid stance…
Best. Critters. Ever.
Apparently there was a research talk at the University of Wyoming research station near Jackson Hole, WY, that presented evidence suggesting that the pikas had in fact successfully adapted to major climate shifts in the past. I did not see the talk, but I hope its conclusions are true. Perhaps the data were presented in the July 10th talk here: http://www.uwyo.edu/uwnps/summer%2Dseminar%2Dseries%2D2014/
Regardless, I’d very much miss seeing the pikas in the Tetons, Beartooths, and Yellowstone.
love the pikas. loved them even more when I found out that some eat bird brains.
Zombie pikas. What’s not to love?
Hope they don’t get mad-pika disease!
OMG don’t you just want to pick them up?! Look at those their cute little round bums!!
Cute little handfullz
The cuteness…ah. In my view, the contributions from 100 theologians can not equal the benefit one receives by observing one of these amazing creatures.
Ah, so is this where they derived Pikachu? If so, the pika has a lot to answer for!
Great photos of a special critter!
Cuteness overload. Awwwwwwwwwwww!
The one with the grass in its mouth is very gorgeous.
So, generally they’ll be on islands of (relative) cool climate surrounded by hotter lowlands. And hence :
The relationship is not quite as simple as two sides of a coin – more like two sides of a very irregular multidimensional polyhedron. But they’re strongly related.
Love. Those. Pictures!
Not only are they adorable…they make one pause & think about what it might be like to be a pika.