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Hi there! I'm Deirdre Denali Rosenberg. And I am happy you're here. Since I was a real little kid, I could be found wandering the woods and high peaks of the Rocky Mountains. I found such comfort and freedom in these wild spaces, befriending trees and wildlife alike. From the time I can remember, my favorite little creature has been the American pika, a wondrous friend that dwells in alpine habitats. Also, yes - Pikachu from Pokémon is based on these adorable animals!

Their habitats are incredibly extreme, both terrain-wise and conditions-wise. And wow, are pikas evolved to thrive in these frigid extremes. So I would like to share a little American pika love today. They are cute, they are wonderful and they are hardcore mountaineers!

More info: deirdredenaliphotography.com | Instagram

#1

An American Pika Making Sure The Coast Is Clear From The Entrace Of Her Winter Den

An American Pika Making Sure The Coast Is Clear From The Entrace Of Her Winter Den

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Unlike many other animals living in freezing conditions, American pika do not hibernate. Instead, they work all summer to gather up tundra grasses that they turn into hay piles: big mounds of grass that dry in the sunshine. Summertime is when pikas are the most active, bounding across talus fields with mouths stuffed full! They feast on these hay piles all autumn/winter/spring and live comfortably under the talus for about 7 months out of the year. And once in a while, with patience, you can observe them come out of their cozy winter dens, run across the snow, and munch up the grass they worked so hard to prepare.

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    #2

    Golden Hour At 12,500 Ft - Something All Creatures Enjoy!

    Golden Hour At 12,500 Ft - Something All Creatures Enjoy!

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    Avery Melton
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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    As our climate is changing, pika are having a hard time adapting. They cease to live when temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit for long. And that's a big issue! Pika have become an indicator species for climate change and their numbers have decreased significantly over the decades. But through my research, I am finding bits of hope that tell me all is not lost with this amazing animal. I have found a few special colonies in lower elevations that have moved down the slope. This allows them to seek cool, rocky, and shady habitats along mountain creeks. It's fascinating and shows that while slow to adapt to a quickly changing planet, they are adapting.

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    #3

    Gathering Up Those Grasses While She Can

    Gathering Up Those Grasses While She Can

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    #4

    Summertime Munchin'

    Summertime Munchin'

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    #5

    A Pika Exhales On An Especially Frigid Morning At 13,000 Ft

    A Pika Exhales On An Especially Frigid Morning At 13,000 Ft

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    #6

    Biiiiiig Yawn!

    Biiiiiig Yawn!

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    Weim Central
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They apparently have 26 total teeth - wonder where the other ones are hidden?

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    #7

    A Very Young Pika Observing Me As I Observe Her

    A Very Young Pika Observing Me As I Observe Her

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    #8

    "If I Fits, I Sits"

    "If I Fits, I Sits"

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    #10

    American Pika Are Largely Solitary Animals, But They Can Be Seen Relaxing Near One Another Sometimes

    American Pika Are Largely Solitary Animals, But They Can Be Seen Relaxing Near One Another Sometimes

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    #11

    A Baby Pika Making Sure It's Safe To Come Outside Of His Den

    A Baby Pika Making Sure It's Safe To Come Outside Of His Den

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    #12

    A Cute Little Mouthful

    A Cute Little Mouthful

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    #14

    Waking Up To A Wet Spring Morning

    Waking Up To A Wet Spring Morning

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    #15

    A Baby Pika Catching The First Rays Of Sunshine On A Summer Morning

    A Baby Pika Catching The First Rays Of Sunshine On A Summer Morning

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    #16

    A Baby Pika Taking A Much Needed Snooze Under The Talus - It's Hard Work Being So New!

    A Baby Pika Taking A Much Needed Snooze Under The Talus - It's Hard Work Being So New!

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    #17

    Itchy!!!

    Itchy!!!

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    #18

    Inside Of A Pika Den, This Friend Has A Quick Snack!

    Inside Of A Pika Den, This Friend Has A Quick Snack!

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    #19

    Springtime Is Fresh Grass Time!

    Springtime Is Fresh Grass Time!

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