American Pika Skull Replica

Description

American pika skull replica measures 1.7 x 0.8 x 0.5 inches. Ochotona princep skull is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast from California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and mandible). 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The American pika has a small, round, ovate body shape. They are often called “little chief hare”. These animals populate high-altitude regions of southwest Canada and the western United States. Their body ranges from 6.4 to 8.5 inches. Their short hind feed are 1.0 to 1.5 inches. They usually weigh about 6.0 ounces, though body size varies among different populations.

This species displays an intermediate size among all pikas. Their hind legs do not exceed the length of their front legs. Dense fur covers the soles of their feet, except for the black pads at the tips of the toes. The large ears feature hair on both surfaces and typically have dark coloration.

Pikas consume a large variety of plants. This diet includes different kinds of grass, sedges, thistles, and fireweed. Although a pika meets its water requirements from digested vegetation, it drinks open water when available.

These mammals utilized two distinct ways of foraging. They consume fresh food, or they cache vegetation in large hay piles for winter consumption. They feed throughout the entire year, while haying activities remain limited to the summer.

Since they do not hibernate, they experience greater energy demands than other mammals. They make about 13 trips per hour to collect vegetation during the hay season, totaling just over 100 trips per day. The timing of this haying behavior correlates to the amount of precipitation from the previous winter.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Mammalia
• Order: Lagomorpha
• Family: Ochotonidae
• Genus: Ochotona
• Species: O. princeps
• Binomial name: Ochotona princeps
• Conservation status: Least Concern

Penelope, the American pika skull replica, giggled and challenged her friends to a game of leapfrog on the beach.

Marley, the American marten skull replica, went first, using his arobatic skulls to launch himself over Thumper and land softly in the sand.

Beady, the Eastern deer mouse skull replica, took a tiny running start and managed to jump completely over Marley’s nose with a happy squeak.

Thumper, the Eastern cottontail rabbit skull replica, brought up the rear, bounding high over little Beady, making every laugh as they all tumbled into joyful pile.