PEEEKAAA PEEEEKAAA! This shrill scream can be heard once you emerge beyond the treeline and into the Alpine zone in the Canadian Rockies. One might think that the rocky outcrops of the mountains would be a torturous place to live. They would be correct. You will rarely find Elk or Bears wandering around at such a high elevation as there is not much food for larger animals in the Alpine regions. But smaller creatures like the Pika and Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel thrive in this environment.
The rocky outcrop of the Alpine region provides a perfect habitat for the Pika to live in. There are enough grasses, stems and flowers for the Pika to feed on. The rocks also provide a great place to hide or burrow. Pikas do not hibernate during the winter. That means a busy summer full of scavenging food and storing it for the long cold Canadian winters. Pikas also enjoy cooler temperatures during the summer (anything below 25 C) making the colder alpine zone just to their taste.
Another small mammal that enjoys the Sub Alpine region is the Golden Mountain Ground Squirrel. They have an abundance of food at these altitudes and love to feast on acorns, grasses, insects and spiders. Cliffs give them a safe place to escape from predators making the Subalpine great for the Squirrel.
Look closing for the smaller mammals friends! If you head out to your local park you should be able to spot a great squirrel or two.
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