The Pika Problem
The Pika, a small, furry member of the rabbit family, makes its home in the Alpine
region of the Wasatch Mountains. This high elevation provides all that the Pika needs
for survival: cooler temperatures, plentiful vegetation and talus slopes (slopes with
fragments of rocks). The Pika stores its food as “hay piles” on the talus in order to
prepare for the scarcity of winter. The “hay piles” include grasses, thistles and plants.
More importantly, Pika are
temperature-sensitive. They
are intolerant of high
temperatures and can die from
overheating (above 78°F) when
exposed for just a few hours.
One year the Pica’s habitat
experienced a drastic change.
A forest fire devastated the
area and destroyed all the
vegetation. Since all the
vegetation was destroyed, the
ground absorbed more incoming solar radiation, causing the temperature in the area to
increase by 2°F. Ants also moved into the area and became quite abundant.
Circle any of the things you think happened to most of the Pika living in the talus slopes
of the Wasatch Mountain after their habitat changed.
A The Pika’s fur thinned and shed
B The Pika switched to eating ants.
C The Pika dug holes to live deeper in the Earth.
D The Pika’s sweat glands enlarged to cool down better.
E The next generation of Pika were born with shorter fur and longer tongues.
D The Pika died.