Social interactions: Pikas are social animals and live in colonies. They communicate with each other through vocalizations, body language, and scent marking. Pikas also engage in social grooming and huddling to maintain body heat and social bonds.
Predation avoidance: Pikas are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including birds of prey, coyotes, weasels, and snakes. They have several adaptations to avoid predation, including their keen sense of hearing and vision, their ability to quickly retreat into their burrows, and their use of alarm calls to warn other pikas of danger.
Food caching: Pikas are known for their habit of caching food. They collect and store vegetation, such as grasses, flowers, and leaves, in their burrows for consumption during the winter months when food is scarce.
Hibernation: Some pika species hibernate during the winter months when food is scarce. During hibernation, pikas enter a state of deep sleep and their body temperature and metabolic rate decrease significantly.
Nest-building: Pikas build nests in their burrows. They use vegetation, such as grasses and leaves, to construct their nests. The nests provide insulation and protection from the elements.