Ochotona Princeps common name is “Pika.” Pika’s kingdom is Animalia. The phylum is Chordata. Its class is Mammalia, also the order is Lagomorpha. Then the family is Ochotonidae. Next is genus which is Ochotona.

 

Lastly, species which Ochotona Princeps, Pika’s scientific name. Pikas usually get to about eight inches long, which is as far as your thumb stretch out to your pinkie, and they weight about seven ouches. There active all year long.

 

There coats colors differ through out the year. They live in the Rocky Mountains. Also there characteristics are in common with rabbits, hares and other rodents. Just after three months they become an adult.

 

They live mostly around Japan, Asia and some smaller island’s, but there also found in wildlife parks. They adapt very well because Pika’s actually live in boulders. Also Pika’s are endangered. They only live up to six years, and they are getting lighter in color too.

 

Pikas are herbivores; they eat all kinds of plant, and during the winter the Pika’s pack dry weeds and such and to keep them alive. But they have to watch out for coyotes, weasels, and hawks because they will eat the little Pika’s. Pika’s have very round ears with tiny gray tails. They breed in the fall. There more active during the winter than in the summer.

 

Author: Chelsea S

Published: 02/2007

 

Bibliography www.google.com Pika’s by Greg Nickels, Grolier Educational (Firm) Book, Grolier Educational (January 2001) The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2006 Columbia University Press, Copyright © 2007

 

Photo Credit: American Pika (Ochotona princeps) in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Taken in talus in the Tokopah Valley of Sequoia National Park. Photo By: Justin Johnsen