The American Pika is a small mammal that is native to the mountains of western North America. It is a member of the Ochotonidae family and is closely related to rabbits and hares. The American Pika has a round body with short limbs, small ears, and a short tail. Its fur is usually grayish-brown in color and its underside is lighter in color. It has large eyes and long whiskers. The American Pika feeds primarily on grasses, herbs, flowers, and some insects. It lives in rocky areas such as talus slopes or boulder fields, where it builds haypiles for food storage. It is active during the day and hibernates during the winter months. The American Pika is an important part of its ecosystem as it helps disperse seeds from plants that it eats. It also serves as prey for various predators such as hawks, owls, foxes, weasels, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions.