[2] The name comes from distinctive patches of grayish fur on its nape and shoulders that form a “collar.”[5] It is asocial, does not hibernate,[6] and spends a large part of its time in the summer collecting vegetation that is stored under rocks ("haypiles") as a supply of food for the winter.

Also, the skull size of O. collaris is broader, with a shorter nasal area, a greater tympanic bullae, and different teeth morphology than those of O.

[10] For both male and females, the average weight is around 157 g (5.5 oz), with maximum growth rates increasing moving toward the northern parts of collared pika territories.

In addition, an interesting characteristic about the male collared pika is that it has no scrotum and the location of its testes is not visibly apparent.

[9] This indicates no sexual dimorphism; consequently, one must examine the pseudocloaca for evidence of specific genitalia to distinguish the sex of the collared pika.

[13] More specifically, in Alaska, they occur most frequently in ranges around the Yukon-Tanana uplands and Chigmit Mountains, to the head of Lynn Canal near Skagway.

In Canada, they occur from Richardson Mountains, south into northwestern British Columbia and west close to the Mackenzie River of the Northwest Territories.

[9] Collared pika colonies are mainly found in the mountain regions and they typically inhabit rock slides near areas of vegetation and fields of meadows.

[2] For example, some collared pikas have been found living in rock piles on the isolated nunataks of Denali National Park.

[10] During the cold winters, the collared pika does not hibernate, but instead stays active, counting on its food sources for energy and survival, and uses the snowpack as a means of insulation.

[12] Although both can reproduce at one year of age, the male’s reproductive success is reliant on acquiring habitat and drawing females.

[9] Parturition timing for northern alpine herbivores is vital due to the brief snow-free timeframe and lack of food sources.

[19] As a collared pika prepares to call, it sits with a hunched back and points its nose upward.

[19] Both males and females can emit vocalizations from some sort of fixed position within their home ranges, especially during the period of gathering.

In addition, research data have shown that young collared pikas rarely disperse over 300 m (980 ft) away from their original den, and adults hardly ever leave an established territory.

[13] Consequently, collared pikas have been recognized as an indicator species for the effect of climate change on alpine ecosystems.

[20] The struggle to survive the winters and the fast-rate climate variations have affected their growing season and availability of resources, especially from the negative impact of not having snowpacks to keep them insulated or to keep their food and shelters hidden from predators.

[10] Collared pikas are defenseless against predators and can only hide within cracks or crevices in the mountainous areas where they live; the rocks of the terrain are their only shelter.

[11] O. collaris has been classified as of least concern for conservation status according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,[2] yet as said by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, as a result of collared pikas inhabiting areas with fast climate changes and their sensitivity to climatic variation, they are considered of special concern.