PIKA

(Ochotona princeps)PIKA

How large is Jasper Alberta's Pika?

• Mass: 121 - 176 g
  Length: to 9 in. (23 cm)




Where does the Pika Live?

• Wildlife living area: taiga, mountains
  Status: A few isolated populations in the Great Basin are threatened, but most populations are abundant.
  Range: American pikas are found in mountain habitats from central British Columbia to South-Central California and east to Colorado.




Details on Jasper's Pika

• Ochotona princeps is a moderate sized pika with buffy underparts. As in other pikas, the ears are short, the tail is not readily visible, and the body is egg-shaped.



• Pikas are active outside their dens about 30% of daylight hours. Much of this time is devoted to feeding, haying, surveilance and territory defense. Adults establish and defend characteristic vocalizations, the short call and the song. The short call is given as an alarm call to alert others of avain predators and as a territory defense call. The song is given primarily by males during the breeding season, but both males and females may sing during the autumn.

Rounded tracks are about 1 in. (3 cm.) across. Fore feet show 5 toe pads, hind feet show 4 toe pads.