Alpine chipmunk
| Alpine chipmunk | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Neotamias |
| Species: | N. alpinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Neotamias alpinus Merriam, 1893 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Tamias alpinus Merriam, 1893 |
|
The alpine chipmunk (Neotamias alpinus) is a species of chipmunk native to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada of California[2]. They have been observed at altitudes from around 2,300 meters (7,500 ft)[3] to 3,900 meters (12,800 ft)[4], though they rarely occur below 2,500 meters (8,200 ft)[5].
[edit] Description
They have a brown forehead with three white stripes on their cheeks and four on their backs. They weigh around 80 grams.
[edit] Behavior
The alpine chipmunk feed on the seeds of sedges, grasses, and pines. They generally eat their food on the ground. They do not generally require a source of water other than food, but will use it given the opportunity.
They nest in crevices between rocks, taking advantage of the micro-climatic conditions (i.e. higher temperatures) that exist there. Their young are born in June and July, in litters of 3-6.
They are considered diurnal, though they exhibit some nocturnal activity during the summer. They hibernate from November through April, frequently awakening to eat.
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tamias alpinus |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Tamias alpinus |
- ^ Linzey, A. V. & Hammerson, G. (2008). Tamias alpinus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 8 January 2009.
- ^ Hall, E.R. (1981). The Mammals of North America (2nd edition ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
- ^ Johnson, D.H. (1943). Systematic review of the chipmunks (genus Eutamias) of California. University of California Publications in Zoology.
- ^ Swarth, H.S. (1919). Some Sierran chipmunks. Sierra Club Bulletin.
- ^ Grinnell, J.; T.I. Storer (1924). Animal life in the Yosemite: an account of the mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians of a cross-section of the Sierra Nevada. University of California Press.
