American Pika Ochotona princeps

Identification
This small mammal has rounded ears and no visible tail. It produces sharp calls and gathers vegetation into haypiles.

Location
Extirpated

Size
4 to 7 ounces

Diet
It feeds on grasses herbs and mosses.

Habitat
It formerly occurred in cooler high elevation habitats.

Activity Period
Year round

Behavior
It is diurnal and highly sensitive to heat. It lives among rocks and crevices. It was active year round.

Lifecycle
Breeding occurs in spring and early summer.

Population
The population is absent in Ohio.

History
It was extirpated due to climate and habitat changes.

Human Interactions
It rarely interacted with humans.

Facts
It is known for creating haypiles for winter food.

Sources
ODNR NatureServe

Grasses herbs mosses | Alpine talus rocky slopes | Formerly in Ohio