Trent Sizemore, a wildlife photographer from West Yellowstone, Montana, is used to photographing large and powerful animals. His work often features bison, bears, moose, elk, and other impressive wildlife found throughout the region.
But during one recent outing, the animal that caught his attention was much smaller than expected.
A Loud Sound From A Tiny Creature
While walking near a rocky area, Sizemore suddenly heard a sharp chirping noise. Curious about where it was coming from, he turned his zoom lens toward the sound.
That’s when he spotted a tiny animal tucked among the rocks, making a surprisingly loud call for its size.
Meet The Pika
The noisy little creature was a pika, a small mammal that looks a bit like a mix between a rabbit and a hamster. Pikas live in rocky, mountainous areas across parts of North America and Asia.
Though they may be small, their voices are powerful. The pika had likely noticed Sizemore nearby and was making an alarm call to warn others in the area.
For an animal roughly the size of a potato, the sound was impressively loud.
Small But Surprisingly Tough
Pikas may look delicate, but they are well adapted to harsh mountain environments. Unlike many animals that sleep through the winter, pikas do not hibernate.
Instead, they spend the warmer months collecting plants, grasses, and flowers. They store this vegetation in hidden places among the rocks, creating food supplies that help them survive the cold winter months.
A Vulnerable Mountain Species
Although pikas are tough, they are also sensitive to heat. Their bodies are built for cool alpine climates, which makes rising temperatures a serious concern for their future.
As mountain habitats become warmer, some pika populations may struggle to survive. Scientists have warned that certain groups could disappear by the end of the century if conditions continue to change.
A Small Animal Worth Protecting
Sizemore’s encounter offered a sweet look at the life of one of the mountains’ smallest residents. The little pika’s loud call and busy survival habits are a reminder that even the tiniest animals play an important role in nature.
Cute, clever, and hardworking, pikas are mountain animals worth noticing — and protecting.