Overview
Pikas (Ochotona spp.) are small mammals of the Ochotonidae family, which can be found in the mountains of North America, European Russia, northern China, and parts of central Asia. These herbivorous animals have large rounded ears and a distinctive coat of grey and brown fur. Pikas are important members of the alpine ecosystem, as they are a keystone species in the food chain and help disperse plant seeds needed for the ecosystem to thrive. Additionally, their burrow systems provide shelter and habitat for other species. Pikas have been used as indicators of climate change since they are sensitive to changes in their environment. As climate change progresses, pikas are becoming increasingly endangered, with their ranges shrinking. This can have cascading effects on the entire alpine ecosystem. As such, preservation of habitat and monitoring of populations is important to conserving the species.