American Pika on Mount Timpanogos

Yesterday I spent about an hour with my twin sons and their wives exploring a large rock slide area at the base of the north peak of Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, Utah . We were primarily enjoying a little rough riding on mountain roads and hoping to see some large mammals along the way. We exited the truck and explored on foot when we arrived at the rock slide area. My sons and their wives are not bird nuts like me. They prefer big creatures over the small ones. That is until I discover and tune them into the little ones for a few fun moments. That was our experience Saturday as we were looking for large mammals from the rock slide area. I first pointed their attention to a clearing that was bordered by some conifers about 500 yards below us. I saw the white and tan rear side of a bull Rocky Mountain Elk. We enjoyed watching it through my spotting scope and binoculars for a few minutes. Here's an image one of my sons captured through the scope with his phone.

While others continued watching the elk I was tuning in to the sounds of squirrels, Northern Flickers, Clark's Nutcrackers and more.  I heard the call of American Pikas (pie-kuh) and decided to locate one. I moved along the road that passes through the rocky terrain and spotted a pika collecting and carrying vegetation to a burrow.

About Pikas
Pikas are generally found above 8000 feet and live in rocky areas surrounded by vegetation. According to my Peterson's Field Guide to Mammals of North America, there are about 22 species of Pikas in the world. We have only two in North America. The rest are found in Eurasia. Collared Pikas live primarily in western Canada and parts of Alaska. The American Pika is found in the mountains of the western US states. Pikas are about seven inches long, weigh about 5 ounces, have tiny legs and feet, a bunny-like face, and dark round ears. They will collect and dry out vegetation near their burrow during late summer and fall and then pack the dried vegetation inside their burrows for winter use. Pikas pass dry and wet fecal pellets. The wet pellets contain nutrients broken down by bacterial digestion in the cecum. Those nutrients are absorbed by the stomach and small intestines with a second pass.

When I saw Saturday's pika I started to make some high-pitched squeaking sounds by sucking air through my lips and teeth. I was curious to see if those sounds would interest the pika long enough to keep it posing for photos or send it scurrying in and out of the multitude of rocks. My make-shift pika call seemed to work as I captured the following series of images. I would capture some images and then move closer to capture more images. I repeated this sequence several times.

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

I was pleased with how close I was able to approach. The pika gave my sons and their wives time to have a long, close-up look at an animal they had never seen (I'm talking about the pika, not their dad/father in law). One daughter in law said to me, "You should have your own nature show!" I enjoy introducing others to nature. Experiences like Saturday's will encourage others to appreciate and respect nature. That's my hope anyway.

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

The cute little pika took a break from posing for a few minutes when it disappeared under a rock. A few more squeaks from my mouth and the pika slowly emerged again for a few more images.

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

Pikas do have a tail, but it is only a half inch long and is generally covered by fur. I tried, but the image below is the best I could capture in trying to reveal the tiny tail. I'm told that the tail can be seen only when being held in the hand. Do you see a tail? I see a bulge.

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT

Farewell until next time, my little friend. It could be fall, but then again it might be spring, when your vegetation storage has been consumed and the snow melts enough from the mountain roads to allow be to return to your hiding place.

American Pika on Mount Timpanogos in Utah County, UT