New Delhi: Climate change and global warming are two phenomenon that are under constant worldwide scrutiny and have scientists, envirnmentalists and conservationists extremely worried.


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Humans can definitely feel the impact, but most people ignore its fatal effect on the world's animals.


Many species are gradually inching toward extinction and there are some which have officially been given the 'extinct' label.


Unfortunately, another animal species has fallen victim to climate change and has been declared endangered – the American Pika.


Yes, Live Science has reported that American Pika's, considered one of the cutest animals in the US, are on the verge of extinction. Their numbers are at an all time low and are slowly decreasing owing to climate change.


American Pikas are small herbivores known as taluses and usually live in the rocky slopes across the West's mountain ranges.


As per Nature World News, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a study to understand how factors of climate change affect the habitat of this species to survive. This journal shows that the authors of the study performed surveys on American Pikas (Ochotona princeps). The researchers studied these adorable pikas from 2012 to 2015.


In the study, researchers found out that the decline of pikas' population in the area is caused by the changes in their habitats, which are now drier and hotter in summer. During a harsher winter, the species' burrows are not protected due to less snow.


However, lead author of the study, Erik Beever told The Guardian that, “It's not that they've just moved, they are gone all together.”