Department of Fish and Game biologists are recommending that the state deny endangered species status for the mountain-dwelling America pika, a relative of the rabbit.
Reachers have found shrinking pika populations throughout the mountains of Nevada and Utah. They say global warming is the main cause.
But Department of Fish and Game biologists say they found inadequate evidence that pika numbers are dropping in California. They're recommending that the Fish and Game Commission reject a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity asking for endangered species status for the pika.
The pika, or rock-rabbit, is adapted to colder temperatures at elevations above the tree line. The 6-inch-long rodent can overheat and die within an hour at temperatures above 70 degrees.
The population has been dwindling and drifting to ever higher elevations, but biologists fear it eventually will run out of mountain.
Source
For a minute there, Pikajedi, I thought you were in some kind of a mess.
BTW, endangered species laws here in the US are all politicized. If it's a species somebody wants to hunt, you can bet somebody's gonna cry about it if it goes on the endangered species list.
A few years ago, I visited a state park where I rented a canoe and went to a spot where I could get a close look at some manatees. They all had scars on them from boat propellers. But of course, there's going to be someone who doesn't like having to slow their boat down to idle speed in a manatee area.
I hate the Department of Fish and Game. They banned ferrets. Except in San Francisco. I mean, you're not allowed to bring ferrets into San Francisco. But if one just pops up out of nowhere, you're allowed to keep it. Plus, I talked to someone who works with them, and he didn't know dirt about ferrets, even though he thought he did. I hate it when people mindlessly defend something because it's a law... I hate laws that make no sense.
For a minute there, Pikajedi, I thought you were in some kind of a mess.
in retrospect, that wasnt the best thread title i could have come up with.. 
I hate the Department of Fish and Game. They banned ferrets. Except in San Francisco. I mean, you're not allowed to bring ferrets into San Francisco. But if one just pops up out of nowhere, you're allowed to keep it. Plus, I talked to someone who works with them, and he didn't know dirt about ferrets, even though he thought he did. I hate it when people mindlessly defend something because it's a law... I hate laws that make no sense.
We're not allowed to keep pet rabbits in Queensland, but people in other states of Australia are. I don't know what the position on keeping ferrets is, but we are allowed to have pet rats, mice, and guinea pigs.
That's so stupid.
PikaJedis are endangered? Oh noes! Go out young man and multiply.
As far as a sympathy angle I can see no better chat up line than " I am actually an endangered species you know".
Sorry haven't read the thread for once and hope I have not missed the point of the thread.
Oh crap! This is why I read threads. Sorry PikaJedi. Rabbits....we should import our rabbits over there.
PikaJedis are endangered? Oh noes! Go out young man and multiply.
As far as a sympathy angle I can see no better chat up line than " I am actually an endangered species you know".
Sorry haven't read the thread for once and hope I have not missed the point of the thread.
wrong type of Pika XD
But the pet ones are fine (well as long as nobody is silly enough to let them go in the bush).
But the pet ones are fine (well as long as nobody is silly enough to let them go in the bush).
..or until they escape (which, i believe, is how we got the American Grey Squrrial over here....and that almost wiped out the Red.)
True, but they don't seem as perturbed about other creatures such as rats and mice which can also get out and go feral. I suppose they don't cause as much damage as feral rabbits would.
Yes, they would have stowed away in the holds of the First Fleet ships (and later ones as well). Somebody actually introduced wild rabbits because he was homesick for them and the initial pairs bred up very fast and they soon became a pest species. Mind you, in the great depression, rabbits were a good food source for many people.
Yes, I think so. It was deliberately introduced to kill off the wild rabbits but in some places, rabbits (a different kind, possibly New Zealand giant whites) are farmed for meat and the farmers are worried about the disease wiping out their rabbits (and therefore their income source).