The Least Chipmunk, Tamias minimus, is the smallest member of the chipmunk genus, Tamias, in North America. It is also the most widespread species of chipmunk in North America occurring across northcentral and western United States and from British Columbia and southern Yukon to western Quebec in Canada. The species is found in a variety of habitats including mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, boreal forest, and sagebrush plains.
They have three dark lines with white in between along their face and five black stripes with brown edges and white in between along their back. They are grey and reddish-brown on the upperparts and greyish white on their underparts. Their tail is orange-brown.
These animals are active during the day and eat seeds, berries, nuts, fruits and insects. Predators include hawks, owls and mustelids.
They breed in early spring. Females produce one litter usually of 5 or 6 young.
They store food in an underground burrow, where they spend the winter. These animals go into a state of torpor for extended periods of time, but do not hibernate.
[edit] References
- ^ Linzey, A. V. & Hammerson, G. (2008). Tamias minimus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 8 January 2009.
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