Pika

Pika, also cony or mouse hare, common name for any of about 22 species of small, herbivorous mammals that have long, dense, usually grayish-brown fur, short, rounded ears, and a vestigial tail that is not visible externally. Head and body length is from 12.5 to 30 cm (5 to 12 in). Pikas are native to mountainous regions of northern and central Asia and western North America. During the late summer and early fall, pikas cut grass and other vegetation, sometimes spreading it to dry in the sun, and then gather it into haystacklike piles near their rocky shelters for use as a reserve winter food supply.

Scientific classification: Pikas make up the family Ochotonidae, of the order Lagomorpha. They are classified in the genera Ochotona and Prolagus.