A pika is a small, mountain-dwelling mammal found in Asia and North America. Status under SARA:  Special Concern. "Ochotona collaris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. [8] Collared pikas, both male and female, are reproductively developed at one year of age and give birth to two or three young each year in their nests within the talus. The collared pika (Ochotona collaris) is a small, cold-adapted mammal that meets these criteria. range shifts, contemporary climates and landscape factors on gene flow in Collared Pikas, which are found in Alaska and adjacent regions of northwestern Canada and are the lesser-studied of North America’s two pika species. Corsican Hare range.png 264 × 236; 18 KB. Hunting and trapping of the Collared Pika by non-Indigenous people is not allowed in Yukon or British Columbia and is not known to occur in the Northwest Territories. Pikas are versatile feeders, eating most plants in their habitat. [7] Thousands of trips are made during July and August to collect vegetation for winter. The population of collared pikas in Canada is estimated to be >10,000 individuals (COSEWIC 2011a), but population size in Alaska is unknown. INTRODUCTION The latitudinal gradient in diversity is one of the oldest rec- ognized patterns in biogeography (Turner & Hawkins, 2004), with more species, subspecies and genetic diversity found at lower latitudes (Wiens & Donoghue, 2004). Collared Pika. The small level of genetic divergence between populations in Alaska and Yukon suggest the population expansion is relatively recent. They are lesser known but nonetheless charismatic members of the order Lagomorpha and are closely related to rabbits and hares. Support habitat conservation initiatives and advocate for protected areas. [11] Although both can reproduce at one year of age, the male’s reproductive success is reliant on acquiring habitat and drawing females. Medulla seems to be almost the entire width of the hair? Currently, the Collared Pika is listed as “Special Concern” according to both the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Collared Pika Range Map, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Skip to Main Content Skip to Site Navigation Skip to Section Navigation However, despite their hostility toward unfamiliar animals, neighbouring males and females tolerate one another. Latin name: Ochotona collaris The 2011 COSEWIC assessment designated the species under Special Concern. That's it. that allow for the hunting of collared pikas. Collared Pika. “Forage selection by collared pikas, Ochotona collaris, under varying degrees of predation risk.”, Kays, Roland W., Wilson, Don E.. “ 2009. [9] They spend no time burrowing because they use their talus sites for protection and habitation. These little mammals have stout bodies, short legs, and small ears. [2] Due to collared pikas being a cold-adapted species, their resilience to climate change is limited, so they have a high risk of extirpation of any populations found at lower altitudes and lower in latitude. [9] The soles of their feet are covered with long fur, while still exposing their digital pads on the soles of their feet and their curved claws. They are found places such as Kluane National Park and Reserve, BC; Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT; and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, BC. In Canada, the Collared Pika occurs primarily in the mountainous regions of Yukon Territory, extending into northern British Columbia and into Northwest Territories west of the Mackenzie River. Collared pika (Ochotona collaris) recording site along the Denali COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Collared Pika. These diurnal animals feed on herbs and grasses, and make hay piles to eat during winter. To install click the Add extension button. In addition, an interesting characteristic about the male collared pika is that it has no scrotum and the location of its testes is not visibly apparent. Size: 18 - 20 cm (7 - 8 in); 130 g (4.5 oz). The Baird's Sparrow song is a series of notes followed by a trill. Collared Pika. The high-elevation, high-latitude areas where they are mainly found are witnessing shifts in habitat and temperature at faster rates than elsewhere in Canada. [17] When interacting on a territory, collared pikas use a softer call than their normal vocalizations. [2] Nevertheless, the collared pika may be susceptible to the negative effects of climate change, and some investigation should be instigated to monitor the negative effects of the new unlimited, year-round hunting rules[where?] Common name: Collared Pika There is a greyish "collar" around the neck and shoulders. [11] [8] This species is often kleptoparasitic and takes food from others. Collared Pika Annual Range Habitat. [2] In various regions of the Yukon, the range is around one to four pikas per hectare. Ochotona collaris. Diet . Ochotona collaris range in ak.png. [8], The estimated population density is roughly around 6.4 to 7.2 individuals per hectare. Collared pikas, Ochotona collaris, are found in the mountainous regions of central and southeastern Alaska, in the Yukon-Tanana uplands to the Chigmit Mountains, and from the Richardson Mountains north of the Artic circle in the Yukon, west of the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories, and south into northwestern British Columbia (MacDonald and Jones, 1987). [9], Collared pikas are defenseless against predators and can only hide within cracks or crevices in the mountainous areas where they live; the rocks of the terrain are their only shelter. All rights reserved, COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Collared Pika. [9] Sexual dimorphism makes perceiving how much the male invests in nurturing the young difficult. Much of the Collared Pika range in the Yukon receives an average of less than 300 mm of precipitation a year (Scudder 1997). Corsican Hare range.png 264 × 236; 18 KB. Collared Pika. [12] Consequently, collared pikas have been recognized as an indicator species for the effect of climate change on alpine ecosystems. [13] Gathering begins to take place around the end of June or beginning of July and increases at a constant rate as time progresses. Vulcan Mountain, collared pika (Ochotona collaris) recording site in the Front Range, southwestern Yukon…………………………………...19 Figure 1-7. [3] Collared pikas, like most other pikas, choose to live around rock slides to use the rocks as protection against the high temperatures they must endure throughout the day; they are referred to as cold-adapted lagomorphs. [11] During their rest periods, collared pikas have been found to sit on rocks and expose themselves to the sunlight. [6] Some individuals have been observed collecting and consuming dead birds as sources of fat and protein. [8], In central Alaska, within the Pleistocene deposits, preserved specimens of collared pika were found along with some dung pellets; in addition to central Alaska, the Yukon territory also contained some fossilized specimens. Collared pikas inhabit the cold mountains of central and southern Alaska and also northwestern Canada, where they are found in scree and other rocky areas above the tree line. [9], O. collaris is distributed over a wide range of terrain that encompasses the west side of the Northwest Territories, almost all of the Yukon Territory, northern British Columbia, and the central and southern parts of Alaska. [11] They have constricted, flat skulls with no supraorbital processes, slender zygomatic arches, and 26 teeth. [8] In 1973, during the isolation of the Wisconsin glaciation, O. collaris may have become its own species separate from O. According to these, this Inammal occurs in the mountains between the Tanana and Yukon Rivers, and in the Alaska Range as far west as Mt. Desert Hare area.png 290 × 303; 9 KB. More like a zipper. The appearance of collared pikas is similar to other members of the genus Ochotona. In Canada, approximately 78,000 km² of the Collared Pika range is contained in protected areas. [17] Both males and females can emit vocalizations from some sort of fixed position within their home ranges, especially during the period of gathering. [9] They are most active during the morning and late afternoon. Usually above timberline but occasionally in forested valleys and near sea level (MacDonald and Jones 1987). Reproduction and Development . Collared pika species of mammal ... Collared Pika range.png 388 × 287; 21 KB. [14] However, the pinnacle of the mating season arises in May and early June. Their range in the NWT extends into the Richardson Mountains west of Aklavik and throughout the Mackenzie Mountains in the Dehcho and Sahtu regions. [10] The food caches have been seen to be similar to the size of location of storage. ..... 22 Figure 2-1. [8] Not much is known about the vocalization of collared pikas, but many studies on the American pika indicate a function of both a defensive mechanism and a warning signal against predators. They are found places such as Kluane National Park and Reserve, BC; Nahanni National Park Reserve, NWT; and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park, BC. Collared pika (O. collaris) is found in northern BC and throughout YT and Alaska. To survive in cold climates, pikas have thick, dense fur and high resting body temperatures of … [3] Therefore, the collared pika is seen as an asocial species and prefers solitude. Quite the same Wikipedia. Size: Weight is region dependent and can be anywhere from 117 g to 185 g. NOTES ON THE COLLARED PIKA, OCHOTONA COLLARIS (NELSON), IN ALASKA ROBERT L. RAUSCH Maps showing the geographic range of the collared pika, Ochotona col-laris (Nelson), have been published recently by Hall (1951) and by Hall and Kelson (1959). Collared Pikas live in mountainous areas and commonly inhabit boulder fields found above tree lines and adjacent to alpine meadows. Ochotona collaris - Flickr - gailhampshire (1).jpg. The Liard River valley may form a barrier between the Collared … In addition to their foraging activities, pikas also will engage in ‘kleptoparastism,’ stealing vegetation from the hay piles of nearby pikas. In addition, research data have shown that young collared pikas rarely disperse over 300 m away from their original den, and adults hardly ever leave an established territory. [9] However, although it has multiple haystacks, it mainly focuses on one while the others are much smaller and localized caches. Collared pika. [8] As observed, collared pikas are likely to use whatever is near the rockslides, such as leaves, flowering plants, berries, or anything else they can find to add to their food caches; even feces of other animals have been found within the haystacks of collared pikas. Collaredpika.jpg 171 × 140; 14 KB. How to transfigure the Wikipedia . [8] They range between 130 and 200 g in body mass and 17.8 to 19.8 cm in length. [8] While some mammals have reduced clavicles for more range of motion, the collared pika has a well-developed clavicle supporting the scapula. [10], O. collaris has been classified as of least concern for conservation status according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,[2] yet as said by the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, as a result of collared pikas inhabiting areas with fast climate changes and their sensitivity to climatic variation, they are considered of special concern. [12] Currently, no actions are being taken to preserve this species, and no threats have been acknowledged against this species. Actually, there are two species of pika: the collared pika found in Alaska and the Yukon and the regular pika found in the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountain ranges of Canada and the U.S. As its name implies, the collared pika does have a rather indistinct, light cream colored band encircling its … Their common name comes from the pale patches on their napes and shoulders which form a partial collar around their neck. [8] This territorial call informs neighboring collared pikas of haypile possession. Pikas prefer rocky slopes and graze on a … It’s our duty to keep our true north strong and green. [9] The different species of these cute critters range anywhere from The location of the study site in the Ruby Range, east of Kluane Lake in the southwestern Yukon ..... 21 Figure 1-6. Do your part as an individual to mitigate climate change; make earth-friendly consumer choices to limit your greenhouse gas emissions. Range: Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia Form colonies in mountainous terrain, in rock slides, talus slopes, and large boulders near meadows or vegetation patches. [12], The lifespan of O. collaris can be up to 7 years in the wild. [8] They have five digits on each front foot and only four on each hind foot. “COLLARED PIKA (OCHOTONA COLLARIS) OCCUPANCY IN TOMBSTONE TERRITORIAL PARK, YUKON.”, Morrison, Shawn, Barton, Luc, Caputra, Peter, Hik, David S.. 2004. They are also known in some communities as “rock rabbits,” “whistling hare,” or “coonies”. Currently, reintroduction programs are in... Canada’s wilderness is the world’s envy. The large-eared pika of the Himalayas and nearby mountains is found at heights of more than 6,000 m, among the highest of any mammal. You could also do it yourself at any point in time. During the cold winters, the collared pika does not hibernate, but instead stays active, counting on its food sources for energy and survival, and uses the snowpack as a means of insulation. Collared Pika range is characterized by a semi-arid, subarctic climate with long, cold winters and short warm summers. Copyright © Nature Canada. Report a sighting: The B.C. Pikas tend to be solitary and territorial, defending their territory by chasing and fighting intruders, scent marking through cheek rubbing, and calling. Collared Pika (Ochotona collaris) is a cold-adapted Beringian species that occurs on talus slopes and is sensitive to climate warming. Would you like Wikipedia to always look as professional and up-to-date? Collared Pika occupancy in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon: 2013 survey results 1 Introduction The recolonization of vacant The Collared Pika (Ochotona collaris) is a cold-adapted lagomorph that lives in talus slopes in alpine environments. They range between 130 to 200 g in body mass and 17.8 to 19.8 cm in length. Outside Canada, Collared Pikas occur in southern and central Alaska. [2] Both collared pikas and American pikas are commonly believed to be philopatric species. Subscribe for campaign updates, advocacy opportunities, and more. The Mackenzie River in the NWT likely acts as a barrier on the eastern edge of its range. Valley of the Five Lakes, collared pika recording site in the Ruby Range Mountains, Kluane, Yukon………………………………………..18 Figure 1-6. [8] They do not have a pubic symphysis therefore it does not have a pubic arch within its pelvic girdle. … The effects of climate change on Collared Pika threaten its persistence and resulted in a status of Special Concern. They are typically found in talus (loose rock) on cool, moist mountain slopes from 7,000 to 12,000 feet above sea level. princeps. Three spatial scales for analysis of collared pika dynamics: metapopulation, talus patch and territory.