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Conservation Status:
Seven subspecies are Vulnerable: O. princeps goldmani, O. princeps lasalensis, O. princeps nevadensis, O. princeps nigrescens, O. princeps obscura, O. princeps sheltoni, and O. princeps tutelata
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| American Pikas scent-mark with their cheek glands, and also communicate with both long and short vocalizations. Short calls are uttered as alarms and to announce that they are departing or returning from foraging, and males perform a "song" during the breeding season. Males and females maintain individual, same-size territories, usually living next to an individual of the opposite sex. Pikas seem to spend much of the day sitting still, observing their surroundings. Females breed when they are a year old, and have a litter of three after a 30-day gestation period. The young are independent about a month after birth. Predators include coyotes, long-tailed weasels, martens, and ermine.
Also known as:
Rocky Mountain Pika, Southern Pika, Rock Rabbit, Piping Hare, Hay-maker, Mouse-hare, Whistling Hare, Cony
Sexual Dimorphism:
None
Length:
Range:
162-216 mm
Weight:
Range:
121-176 g
References:
Richardson, J., 1828. Short characters of a few quadrupeds procured on Capt. Franklin’s late expedition, p. 520. The Zoological Journal, 3:516-520.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
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