The American pika is about the size of a large -- and adorable -- baked potato. But unlike baked potatoes, pikas are fierce and are the inspiration behind the most famous of all Pokémon: Pikachu. Sadly, American pika habitat in the snowy, high mountain, alpine meadows of western North America are threatened by climate change. POWER TO THE PIKA! #pikas #powertothepika #pokemon #pikachu #climatechange #keepitintheground #fightextinction #pokemongo | Center for Biological Diversity

The American pika is a small, fluffy mammal that lives in the rocky mountains of western North America. It looks like a mix between a rabbit and a mouse, with round ears and no tail. Pikas don’t hibernate, so they spend the summer gathering and drying plants to store for the winter. They’re known for their high-pitched squeaks and are sensitive to heat, making them vulnerable to climate change. Credit unknown Please DM us for credit #animals #cuteanimals #animallovers #pika #pikalover #cutepika

Have you ever heard a pika's call ("EEP! EEP!") while exploring Valles Caldera's lava domes? Let us know in the comments below! Pika live in rocky alpine environments in the highest elevations of Valles Caldera. They are considered an indicator species for detecting ecological effects of climate change. In response to increased climate warming, suitable habitat is shrinking, causing pika populations to decline in some areas. In other areas, their distribution is gradually creeping to higher elev