Mongolia: Pika

Pika is a small mouse-sized animal that is actually closer related to rabbits then mice. They have no tail but have big oversized ears. Pikas are notoriously difficult to photograph. The animals have perfect vision and hearing and at any sign of motion scatter away under rocks and into their holes. Moreover, they give a high-pitched whistle warning the others of the threat (hence the nickname “whistling hare”). That being said, with patience and staying frozen, you can get them to come out from their abodes and go about daily routines of stuffing themselves with grass and also bringing it back to their underground holes. Pikas do not hibernate in winter, but spend the entire cold season underground munching on the grass and plants they have accumulated in the summer. So you can see them run around with large pieces of plants and grass. The little rabbit-like animals are insanely adorable and one can watch them for hours.
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