How are rabbits related to pikas?
Rabbits and pikas are related through their classification in the order Lagomorpha. While they share a common evolutionary history as lagomorphs, they belong to two distinct families:
Morphologically, the two families are clearly separable. Rabbits and hares have evolved for bounding locomotion, characterized by an arched skull, an upright head posture, and strong, elongated hind limbs. In contrast, pikas are smaller with shorter, rounded ears, no external tail, and less-developed hind limbs suited for scampering.12
Despite these differences, all lagomorphs share defining biological traits, such as a second pair of peglike incisors located behind the primary pair in the upper jaw and a specialized digestive process involving the production and reingestion of two types of feces to maximize nutrient absorption. Although they were once mistakenly grouped with rodents, it is now recognized that lagomorphs have a long, separate evolutionary history.13