Daily Postcard: Pikas stay active in winter traveling in tunnels under rocks and snow. In fact, a deep blanket of snow is important for the pika’s survival. If the snow is deep enough it provides insulation for the pikas living below. Too little snow and the pikas risk freezing to death. The pikas stay alive during the long, cold winter by eating dried plants cached earlier in the year and may travel out to nearby vegetated areas to collect more plant materials. Photo by Sally King/NPS