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Pika

Adapted from Wikipedia · Explorer experience

A cute Collared Pika sitting in the wild mountains of Hatchers Pass, Alaska.

What is a Pika?

A pika is a tiny animal that lives in the mountains. They look a little like rabbits, but they are much smaller and have short, round ears. Pikas are very friendly and love to stay busy.

Where Do Pikas Live?

Pikas live in cold, rocky places in Asia and North America. They love to stay on mountain sides where they can hide in small cracks. Some pikas live in Alaska and Canada. They like to stay in cool weather and stay in the shade when it gets too hot.

What Do Pikas Eat?

Pikas eat many kinds of plants like grasses, flowers, and leaves. In the autumn, they gather extra food and store it under rocks for the winter. They do not sleep through the winter like bears; instead, they stay busy and eat the food they saved.

Fun Facts About Pikas

Pikas make special sounds to talk to each other and warn of danger. These sounds are loud and can be heard from far away. Pikas are very careful and like to stay safe. They can live for about seven years in the wild.

Images

A pile of plants gathered by pikas in Utah—a tiny rodent known for collecting and storing food!
A tiny American pika gathering grass in its rocky home in Sequoia National Park. These small animals prepare food for winter by drying grass and carrying it back to their nests.
Map showing where different types of pikas, including extinct ones, have been found around the world.
A scientific diagram showing how rabbit and pika fossils help scientists understand past climate and plant changes on Earth.

Related articles

Asia
North America
Alaska

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Pika, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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