pika
Definition
Noun A pika is a small, short-eared mammal that lives in burrows among the rocky slopes and uplands of Asia and western North America. It is related to rabbits and hares.
Usage
The word "pika" is used as a countable noun to refer to the animal itself. It is a specific zoological term. * Scientists study how the pika adapts to cold mountain climates. * We heard the high-pitched call of a pika from the rocks. * Several pikas were gathering grass to store for the winter.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in ecological and conservation contexts, as some pika species are considered indicators of climate change due to their sensitivity to temperature.
- The American pika's habitat range is shrinking due to warming temperatures.
Variants and Related Words
- Ochotona: The scientific genus name for all pika species.
- Lagomorph: The biological order that includes pikas, rabbits, and hares. A pika is a type of lagomorph.
Synonyms
- Rock rabbit: A common alternative name, especially in North America.
- Whistling hare: Another informal name, referring to its distinctive alarm call.
Different Meanings
The word "pika" has no other common meanings in English. It refers exclusively to this specific mammal.
Noun
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small short-eared burrowing mammal of rocky uplands of Asia and western North America
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