Montana is home to a wide variety of wild animals. In fact, the state is home to over 100 different species of mammals.

Pikas on a Rock
Yellowstone National Park
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We often hear a lot about bison, grizzly bears, bobcats, and other animals that call Montana home. One mammal that doesn't get much attention is the Pika (pie-ka). They are by far the most adorable animal that you'll see in Montana's vast wilderness. They look like a combination of a rabbit and a field mouse.

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Pikas hang out at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains. If you're lucky, you might spot one while driving the Beartooth Highway. Pikas are fairly small, approximately the size of a guinea pig, and have often been referred to as the most adorable species in Yellowstone National Park.

Pikas have one mission in life, and that is to constantly stock up on enough food to last them through the harsh winter in Montana. They make around 100 trips a day to collect enough food to survive. Pikas make a very distinct high-pitch call, so make sure you're paying attention the next time you're high up in the Rocky Mountains.

They may be adorable, but they're still wild. Please keep your distance and don't try to pet one, regardless of how strong the temptation is. Pikas are a flagship species in YNP, which means they are used to increase awareness and support, engage the public, and raise funding for conservation efforts.

According to Yellowstone National Park, climate change is likely causing a decline in pika numbers in western regions. However, they aren't currently Although not currently considered threatened or endangered.

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