Of Pikas and Polars: The Ties Between These Two Species

Text and photos by Heather Cline 

At first glance, it might seem that two species highlighted here couldn't possibly have anything in common.

Starting with size, the difference between a pika and a polar bear is startling. Pikas are tiny mammals, just slightly larger than a hamster. Polar bears, on the other hand, are the largest land carnivores. To put it in perspective: a polar bear could weigh over 5,000 times more than a pika and stand more than 20 times taller.

The American pika and polar bears live in different environments as well. American pikas thrive in some of North America's harshest alpine environments. Perched above the tree line, they endure freezing temperatures and rocky terrain. In contrast, Polar bears live in the icy Arctic, where vast expanses of sea ice stretch across frigid ocean waters.

American pikas have evolved several adaptations to survive the cold; high-altitude environments they call home. They have thick, dense fur that helps to insulate and retain body heat during the freezing alpine winters. Their compact body shape helps them reduce heat loss and their high metabolism allows them to stay active year-round - even in snow. Polar Bears have thick blubber, hollow white fur, and massive size help them stay warm and blend into icy surroundings. Their wide, partially webbed paws act like snowshoes and paddles—essential for navigating slippery ice and swimming long distances. 

The diets of these two species couldn't be more different. Pikas are herbivores, relying on mountain grasses and wildflowers, which they harvest and dry in the summer to store as winter food. Polar bears, on the other hand, are the largest land carnivores on Earth. They depend on sea ice to hunt seals, their main food source.

Their social structure is different as well. Pikas live in loose colonies for protection, using sharp calls to warn neighbors of danger—though each fiercely defends its own den and territory. Polar bears are mostly solitary animals, spending much of their lives alone except during mating season or when a mother is raising her cubs. They may occasionally gather around abundant food sources, but they don’t form lasting social groups.

The one thing that these species share in common is the impact climate change is having on their survival. While Earth’s climate has always shifted over time, recent changes are happening faster—and with clearer ties to human activity. Since the Industrial Revolution, burning fossil fuels has dramatically increased greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, trapping heat in the atmosphere. As a result, global temperatures have surged, with the last decade being the hottest on record. This rapid warming is unlike anything seen in hundreds of thousands of years and is already affecting species like polar bears and pikas, whose survival depends on stable, cold environments.

In 2008, Polar Bears became the first species listed as “threatened” under the U.S. Endangered Species Act for climate-related reasons. Today, the polar bear shares this spotlight with the far smaller, yet equally vulnerable, American pika. As temperatures rise, pikas are vanishing from large parts of their mountain habitat. Unlike the polar bear, they remain unprotected under federal law. Both species reflect the far-reaching impact of a warming planet, raising urgent questions about how well current protections address climate-driven extinction risks.

I don't want to live in a world without Pikas and Polar Bears. If you feel the same, here are 5 simple things you can do to help slow climate change, making a positive impact on these amazing animals:

• Use less energy – Turn off lights and electronics when not in use, switch to LED bulbs, and adjust your thermostat a few degrees to save energy and reduce emissions.
• Drive less – Walk, bike, carpool, or use public transportation when possible.
• Eat more plant-based meals – Reducing meat and dairy consumption lowers greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and helps conserve land and water.
• Cut down on waste – Recycle, compost, and avoid single-use plastics. 
• Support clean energy and climate-friendly policies – Choose renewable energy if available, and vote for leaders and policies that prioritize climate action.