Hiker Encounters Woodland Creature Gathering Flowers But ‘What Is It’

While hiking in the rugged beauty of Telluride, Colorado, college student Margaret Mabry stumbled upon an unexpected and delightful sight. Nestled among the rocks were small, fluffy creatures darting in and out of crevices. Their round bodies and busy movements captivated Mabry, and she couldn’t help but nickname them “mountain hamsters.” She had no idea what they actually were, but their charm left her intrigued and eager to learn more.

Curious about her discovery, Mabry shared a video on TikTok, hoping her followers could help identify the mystery animals. In the video, she described the tiny creatures squeaking and scurrying around with plants in their mouths and making their homes in rocky terrain. Her audience quickly pieced together the clues, and it wasn’t long before the answer emerged: these were American pikas.

Encountering a pika in the wild is a rare treat, as these unique animals have some fascinating habits and challenges. Pikas spend their summers gathering and drying bundles of flowers, creating “bouquets” to store as food for the harsh winter months. This behavior explains why Mabry observed them carrying plants. Yet, despite their industrious nature, pikas are facing increasing threats due to climate change. They struggle to survive in temperatures exceeding 77 degrees Fahrenheit, and as global temperatures rise, their habitats are gradually disappearing.

The sighting of these pikas wasn’t just a special moment for Mabry—it held potential significance for conservation efforts. One commenter on her TikTok suggested she share the location with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to help monitor the pika population in that area. “I bet [Colorado Parks and Wildlife] would love to know their pika [population] in that spot is thriving,” the commenter wrote. “It’ll help track the [population].”

Mabry’s video introduced countless viewers to the adorable and hardworking pikas, sparking curiosity and awareness about their plight. By shedding light on these little-known creatures, Mabry unknowingly contributed to their story and the broader conversation about wildlife conservation.

Thanks to her chance encounter, more people now know about the challenges pikas face—and why it’s so important to protect their delicate mountain habitats. With continued efforts, the hope remains that future generations will still have the opportunity to marvel at these remarkable “mountain hamsters” in the wild. To see Mabry’s adorable ‘mountain hamster’ encounter, click on the video below.

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Feature image courtesy of cedarbreaksnps/Instagram