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American Pika
Ochotona princeps
Silhouette: Margot Michaud · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderLagomorpha (Lagomorphs)
- FamilyOchotonidae (Pikas)
- GenusOchotona (Pikas)
- SpeciesOchotona princeps (American Pika)
In 3 days ~70% in a week ~90%
364 Verified sightings at Yosemite National Park From 2019 to 2026
2,065 In all 8 parks
August Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted
About the American Pika
The American pika (Ochotona princeps) is a small, herbivorous mammal of the family Ochotonidae, closely related to rabbits and hares (order Lagomorpha). It is native to the mountainous regions of western North America, typically inhabiting rocky slopes and talus fields at or above the tree line. Unlike most mammals of similar size, the American pika is diurnal, being active primarily during the day. It employs two distinct foraging strategies: directly consuming vegetation or gathering and storing plant materials in "haypiles" to sustain itself through the winter months, a behavior known as haying.
Pikas are vocal animals, using a variety of calls and songs both to warn of approaching predators and during the breeding season. Predators of the American pika include coyotes, martens, and hawks. Recent studies suggest that populations in the southwestern United States are declining due to habitat loss and global warming. Despite these regional declines, the American pika is overall assessed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN and remains common in the northwestern United States and Canada.
The American pika was first described scientifically by the Scottish naturalist... Wikipedia →
Sounds
Recording0:06
United States · 2021
© wildlifer04 · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
Recording0:15
United States · 2022
© Corey Brooke · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
Recording0:14
United States · 2019
© Christine · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
Recent sightings of American Pika in Yosemite National Park
LIVEiNaturalistGlobal Distribution
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Rocky Mountain National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Grand Teton National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Banff National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 5 | Jasper National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 6 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Glacier National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | Yellowstone National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Closest Relatives at Yosemite National Park
Before you go
What are the chances of seeing an American Pika in Yosemite National Park?
Possible
About 30% of wildlife watchers report an American Pika sighting in Yosemite National Park on a given day, based on 364 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 9th most-seen of the 21 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 70%, and over a week to about 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
When is the best time to see an American Pika in Yosemite National Park?
August
In that month about 50% of wildlife watchers report an American Pika in Yosemite National Park on a given day, against under 5% in December to April, the lowest months. That is one of Yosemite National Park's driest months, with about 30 mm of rain against 220 mm in January.
What time of day is best to see an American Pika?
Between 10 am and 1 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most American Pika sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Is Yosemite National Park the best place to see an American Pika?
6th of 8
Of the 8 parks where we can rate American Pika sightings, Yosemite National Park ranks 6th at about 30%. The best odds are in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (United States, about 50%), Rocky Mountain National Park (United States, about 50%) and Grand Teton National Park (United States, about 50%). All parks ranked.
Where does the American Pika sighting chance come from?
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the American Pika is recorded against all the mammals logged in Yosemite National Park (364 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
