Coney, Rock Rabbit
Pikas are very vocal small mammals (7-8 in long) with large ears. They can be found on rock faces and cliffs near mountain meadows above the treeline in western North America.
Pikas have thick, peppery-brown fur that usually covers their very short tail. They use high-pitched calls and whistles to communicate and protect their territory. They eat grasses, weeds, and tall wildflowers, drying and stacking food for the winter and bringing it into their burrows once winter arrives.
Pikas live in colonies but are very independent and defend their individual dens. They're active in daytime and don't hibernate in winter. Many breed twice, in spring and summer, giving birth to 2-6 young each time.
Could it be? Hoary Marmots also live in the mountains above the treeline, but they are 3 times as large as Pikas.
Did you know? Pikas are closely related to Rabbits, despite looking like a Hamster.
See Also: 13-lined Ground Squirrel, Bushy-tailed Woodrat, Least Chipmunk, Marmot, Marten, Red-tailed Chipmunk, Richardson's Ground Squirrel, Squirrel, Weasel, Yellow-pine Chipmunk
