American Pika Adaptations to Climate Changes

Embere Hall and advisor Dr. Anna Calfoun of the University of Wyoming have been studying pikas’ flexibility to changing temperatures over several years. Their work is in context of greater questions of warm-blooded animals capacity to adapt to climate change. Funded in part by the Raynes Wildlife Fund (RWF), they have determined that individual pikas are able to alter the timing of foraging to avoid intensive heat and, equally important, to maintain the quality of their winter hay piles essential to survival. It also indicates that populations whose individuals have behavioral flexibility are more likely to adjust to climate change. The full report on our website is fascinating. Now with her PhD completed, Dr. Embere Hall continues her work on behalf of pika.