Before you read any further, there is a happy ending—for Petey the Pika at least. I love my pika, but a weasel has to eat as well. Yesterday, when I went to do my weekly pika survey near Tioga Pass, Petey was nowhere in sight. I could not figure out why he wasn’t being social. Well, I had the answer soon enough-suddenly a weasel bound across the pika site! What an incredible sighting!
I am happy to report we did locate Petey after the weasel had left. Long-tailed weasels are fierce hunters and will tackle prey larger than themselves. Pika don’t have much defense against them except to hide. I am glad Petey found a good hiding spot!
