Devon's Feature
Climate Change, not just for Polar Bears
We have all heard about the threats that climate change has on polar bears. Since most people do not live in the arctic you may ask your self, so what? Well in the Rocky Mountains we have another victim of climate change, the pika.
Pikas can be found hiding around hiking trails, or tucked in safe mountainous place in the western U.S. Pikas are the smallest member of the rabbit family, 3-5 inches in length and weighing in at half a pound. Pikas live in rocky areas and bail hay much like people do. Pikas also have a very complex way of communicating; they have various vocalizations, and they rub their scent glands on rocks to communicate as well. A baby pika is usually born one month before winter. Pikas are being threatened by climate change, because of their sensitivity to the temperature.
Pikas were voted in the top 3 cutest animals in the north American. 9 out of 25 Pika populations have died off in North America. Climate change will drive pikas to higher ground because they need cooler air. By the pikas climbing to get to colder areas they could be trapping themselves up there because of future climate change. They get trapped in these areas because they eventually reach a point where climbing higher is just not an option.
Pikas are one of the first animals affected by climate change that we notice, and hopefully the last, optimistically speaking. If something isn’t done about climate change, then we will have to say goodbye to the pikas and many other animals are certain to follow. Pikas are in the process of being added to the endangered species list and will be the one of the few mammals considered for protection, in the United States. If a pika lives in area over 78 degrees Fahrenheit they will die.
Climate change needs to come to an end so we don’t lose these cute, little, furry friends.
Devon Dey
To comment on this Feature email the communications team at ec_communications@fortlewis.edu.
To learn more about Pikas check out this link.