The collared pika (Ochotona collaris ) is a species of mammal in the pika family, Ochotonidae, and part of the order Lagomorpha, which comprises rabbits, hares, and pikas. It is a small (about 160 g) alpine lagomorph that lives in boulder fields of central and southern Alaska (U.S.), and in parts of Canada, including northern British Columbia, Yukon, and western parts of the Northwest Territories. It is closely related to the American pika (O. princeps ), but it is a monotypic form containing no recognized subspecies. It is asocial, does not hibernate, and spends a large part of its time in the summer collecting vegetation that is stored under rocks ("haypiles") as a supply of food for the winter. Some individuals have been observed collecting and consuming dead birds as sources of fat and protein. Thousands of trips are made during July and August to collect vegetation for winter.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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FolivoreIn zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less ...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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GrazingGrazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. In agriculture...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withCollared pikas live in central and southern Alaska and parts of Canada in boulder fields. It is the only pika found in Alaska. They are lesser known but nonetheless charismatic members of the order Lagomorpha and are closely related to rabbits and hares. "Pika" comes from the Siberian word for this animal, "puka." They are called "coneys," "rock rabbits," and "little chief hares" In North America. All except two of the 30 species of pika alive today occur in Asia, which is probably where they originated. They have stocky bodies, large round ears, short legs, and almost no tail. The "collar" from which the Collared pika gets its name is a distinct grayish patch on its shoulder and neck, which is in definite contrast with the white fur on the chest and stomach. A pika has fur-covered feet, but its toe pads are bare. Its sharp, curved claws help it climb easily from rock to rock. Pikas are highly alert, and have excellent hearing and vision.
Collared pikas live in central and southern Alaska and parts of Canada, including in the west in the Northwest Territories and in northern British Columbia, Yukon. They live in mountainous terrain with large boulders and talus slopes, which often have rock slides. They prefer to live at the edges of talus slopes, where there are meadows and areas of high-quality vegetation immediately nearby. Collared pikas also sometimes live in areas close to sea level in Alaska and British Columbia.
Collared pikas are asocial animals and constantly chase away intruders to defend their territory. They are mainly solitary, but are sometimes seen in pairs. They do not burrow but instead take shelter within their talus habitats. Collared pikas are diurnal and they do not hibernate in winter. Much of the day they spend grazing or gathering vegetation to store for winter, a foraging behavior called "haying." They rarely forage further than 10 m from the talus into meadows. An individual may build several haystacks within its home range and tends to each year inhabit the same location, usually under overhanging rocks, along boulders and in crevices. Both the males and females of this species are very vocal. A pika's call is unmistakable once you have heard it: a single, piercing note like “ank” or “ink” heard over several hundred yards. These animals vocalize often during hay gathering.
A Collared pika is a generalist herbivore (folivore), eating the leaves and stems of various grasses, small shrubs and forbs. They consume their soft fecal pellets to reduce the loss of nutritional value in their food. They sometimes eat birds, which provide them with protein and fat. They will also eat low-lying vegetation such as lichen that is under the snow during the winter.
This species tends to mate with the nearest neighbors, a system known as ‘facultatively (functionally) monogamous.’ In monogamous behavior, males mate only with one female. The breeding season peaks from May to early June. Females produce up to two litters per year, of 2 to 6 young, born in nests within the talus. 30 days is the period of gestation. A Collared pika is born blind and almost hairless. Females are responsible for the majority of parental care. Young remain in their nest for about 30 days before being weaned, when they emerge to the surface. Adult size is reached after just 40 to 50 days. They are sexually mature where they are one year old.
While there is no apparent concern for Collared pikas at this time, climate change could be a threat, as they are sensitive to high temperatures in their environment, and the high elevation habitats to which they are restricted are declining as a result of climate change.
According to IUCN, the Collared pika is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
The Collared pika is a key species that is consumed by numerous predators (ermines, weasels, foxes, owls, eagles). Their hay piles could provide food for other herbivorous mammals. Collared pikas impact grass and herbaceous plant species in their high elevation habitats.
