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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nI wish i’d taken a picture of the ingenious watering system our host had rigged up…slender hoses were snaked in the baskets and on timers, i think, so all the flowers looked fantastic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n cute bear!<\/p>\n\n\n\n and another one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hadn’t even noticed this cowboy til i was looking around for last-minute photo ops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such a great time. Air b&b has certainly been great for us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n we finally left at maybe 11:00 and drove to Apgar village one more time because i wanted to buy a fantastic photo of goat on the side of Goat Lick, an almost vertical slab of rock. But when we got there, somebody had bought the photo. Disappointing. Luckily the Montana House lady was able to have the artist make another print and they delivered it to us. I also bought another print, of a Pika. A pika is an adorable little creature, kind of like a big mouse? we didn’t actually see one, but it the photo was so cute that i had to buy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a photo i found on the web…i’d post a photo of the one i bought but it’s copyrighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n we then wandered over to the other gift store in Apgar and bought a few more souvenirs, and then headed back on Route 2 to Many Glacier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We went on a great hike there, to be published soon…<\/p>\n\n\n\n I just looked up pikas on a website and i’m including all the info about them here because i think it’s really interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These little mammals have stout bodies, short legs, and small ears. Most species have thick fur, which comes in handy living in old mountain peaks. There are a variety of species, all of which come in different shapes and sizes. The different species of these cute critters range anywhere from six to nine inches when fully grown, and weigh less than a pound.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n These seemingly insignificant little mammals are actually quite interesting creatures. From their mountain abodes, pikas exhibit a number of strange behaviors and unique adaptations. Learn more below!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Though there is a wide variety of<\/em> species, all are adapted to life in cold climates. Because of this, they actually need<\/em> cold temperatures, and can die if exposed to hotter climates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The vast majority of species live in mountainous regions among the rocks and crevices. Some species also construct burrows in the soil. Those species that burrow live in less mountainous regions known as steppe, or grassland.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This animal\u2019s distribution varies greatly based on species. There are two species that live in North America, the rest range throughout Asia. Quite a few species live in Mongolia and Siberia, as well as China, Nepal, India, and more. Some species have very restricted range, while others, like the Nubra pika, are more widespread through various countries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n These creatures are herbivores, which means that they eat plants. Far from picky, they will feed on grasses, flowering plants, sedges, shrubs, mosses, and more. They spend some time feeding, and some time collecting plants to dry and store for the winter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The colder the region, the more dried plants the pika needs to survive the winter. They create piles of grasses and other vegetation, and leave them in the sun to dry out. This prevents their food stores from rotting or growing mold.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because they live at such high elevations, pikas do not frequently interact with humans. Sadly, direct human contact is not necessarily the only way we can impact these creatures. Human-induced climate change has caused increases in global temperature.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n As discussed previously, these creatures are quite sensitive to warm climates, and simply cannot survive if their environment gets too hot. This is causing various species to become isolated and fragmented as their usable habitat decreases. While the IUCN Red List still considers most species \u201cLeast Concern,\u201d they have expressed the need for additional research and concern.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Humans have not domesticated pikas in any way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pikas do not make good pets. If they get too hot, they can die, so you must regulate their temperature at all times. They are also wild animals, and while you can tame young creatures with time and patience, as they reach sexual maturity they become less compatible with household life.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Zoos successfully care for various species of pikas. With so many species, there is no guaranteed care information for every individual, but the information for one species likely translates to another. The primary concern when caring for them is temperature regulation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Zookeepers house pikas in temperature-controlled environments. They also provide them with rocky habitats, or those that have artificial rocks and tunnels. Their diet is easy to replicate, and zookeepers provide hay, a variety of fresh grasses, fruits, and vegetables.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Behavior varies from species to species. Some animals are diurnal, and most active during the day, while others prefer to forage during the early morning and late evening. Generally speaking, the colder the climate, the more likely that species is active during the day when it is warmer. Some species are social, and live in family groups. Other species are solitary, and even territorial.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n With such a wide variety of pika species, it is not surprising that breeding behavior varies. Some species produce large litters, while others have just a few offspring. Most tunnel-digging species produce more young than those that live in rock crevices. Across species, most gestation periods last approximately one month. Weaning and independence varies greatly between species, with some animals forming longer-lasting family groups.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Like i said, that was a lot of info, but it seemed interesting to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/graceuncensored.com\/WordPress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/g175.jpg\")
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Description of the Pika<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Interesting Facts About the Pika<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Habitat of the Pika<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Distribution of the Pika<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Diet of the Pika<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pika and Human Interaction<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Domestication<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Does the Pika Make a Good Pet<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pika Care<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Behavior of the Pika<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reproduction of the Pika<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n