Stats

Lifespan: 3-5 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Temperate conifer forest
Range: Western North America
Movement: Climbing
Breeding: Live birth
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Uncommon

About

A high-elevation chipmunk of the Rocky Mountain west, found in conifer forests and rocky slopes up to 11,000 feet. It packs seeds and fungi into internal cheek pouches that can bulge to nearly the size of its own head.

Life cycle

1.
newborn pup
A blind, hairless pup nurses in the nest and is unable to regulate its own warmth.
2.
juvenile
A weaned juvenile is fully furred, leaves the nest, and begins foraging on solid food.
3.
adult
Fully grown and self-sufficient.

Learn more

View on iNaturalist →
Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Neotamias
Species: Neotamias umbrinus