| Alpine chipmunk | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Neotamias |
| Species: | N. alpinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Neotamias alpinus (Merriam, 1893) | |
| Synonyms | |
Tamias alpinusMerriam, 1893 | |
The alpine chipmunk (Neotamias alpinus) is a species of chipmunk native to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada of California. [3] [4] No significant threats to the species are known.
Alpine chipmunks share the typical pattern of genus Neotamias, being gray-brown overall and featuring three white stripes on the cheeks and four down the back. The flanks are muted orange. They weigh 27-45 grams [5] and grow from 166 to 203 mm. Overall the alpine chipmunk is much paler and smaller compared to others in its genus. Their typical lifespan in the wild is up to 2-3 years.
Alpine chipmunks only live in high Sierra Nevada, from Yosemite National Park in the north, to Olancha Peak in the south. They have been observed at altitudes from around 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) [6] to 3,900 meters (12,800 ft), [7] though they rarely occur below 2,500 meters (8,200 ft). They primarily inhabit the talus slopes and sub-alpine forests, where there is a large accumulation of loose, rocky debris. During the summer, where the high-elevation environment becomes increasingly arid and warm, the alpine chipmunk utilize these rocks by retreating into the cool, deep crevices of boulders to regulate their body temperature. [8]
The alpine chipmunk feeds on the seeds of sedges, grasses, and other plants in their namesake alpine zone. [5] Some examples are the bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata), currant (Ribes), blueberries and huckleberries (Vaccinium), and their most common source of food, pussy-paws (Spraguea umbellate). [8] The alpine chipmunk conserves their water by concentrating their urine, so they do not generally require a source of water other than food, but will use it given the opportunity. When food is scarce, intraspecific competition is observed to take place. [9]
The alpine chipmunk is extremely agile, being able to skip around from place to place while conducting its daily activities. Usually while running, they are observed to straighten out their tails vertically in order to appear larger and longer to ward off predators and competition amongst other alpine chipmunks. [9] Predators of the alpine chipmunk include raptors, weasels, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Socially, alpine chipmunks are more reserved compared to their relatives. When provoked, they respond with little to no notes at all, while other species tend to react with loud and frequent notes. [9]
Their young are born in June and July, in litters of 3–6. Females give their kits milk and after around 30 to 45 days, the kits (baby squirrels) weigh about 28 to 50 grams. After 90 days, kits are the same weight and size as adults. Towards the end of winter and early spring, mating occurs. [10]
They are considered diurnal (active during the day), though they exhibit some nocturnal activity during the summer. During late July and August, they gain a lot of weight to prepare for hibernation under snowpacks which are like heating pads. They hibernate from November through April, frequently awakening to eat. Their cheeks can triple in size because they are on the hunt for food and store what is in their mouth to the burrow which can be up to eight pounds. This is because they don't want to go out in the harsh conditions of the winter so they store everything before their hibernation which is like a meal preparation for the week for the alpine chipmunks. [8]
As of the last assessment on January 21, 2016 made by the IUCN, the alpine chipmunk is listed as Least Concern. [11] Despite its restricted range in population, their numbers are stable and have little to no fluctuation.
However, threats to the alpine chipmunk still exist. Because their primary habitats are forests and rocky areas, recent human activity and climate change have forced the species to slowly move to higher elevations as the quality and extent of their habitat decreases. Climate change can produce broken populations especially because the alpine chipmunks live on high altitudes in the mountains. These chipmunks also do not live in any protected areas, which can pose a danger to their survivability. [12]
Chipmunks are small, striped rodents of Sciuridae, the squirrel family; specifically, they are ground squirrels (Marmotini). Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk which is found primarily in Asia.
The least chipmunk is the smallest species of chipmunk and the most widespread in North America.
The Hopi chipmunk, Neotamias rufus, is a small chipmunk found in Colorado, Utah and Arizona in the southwestern United States. It was previously grouped with the Colorado chipmunk, T. quadrivittatus. This species is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List as it is common, widespread, and without any major threats. It was last evaluated in 2016.
The yellow-pine chipmunk is a species of order Rodentia in the family Sciuridae. It is found in parts of Canada and the United States.
The gray-footed chipmunk is a terrestrial and forest-dwelling species of chipmunk and rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to New Mexico and in the Sierra Diablo and Guadalupe Mountains in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas in the United States. Its natural habitat are coniferous forests. First discovered in 1902, they are distinguished by the unique gray dorsal colouring on the hind feet, hence the common name. They demonstrate sexual dimorphism, and the female is larger than the male.
The gray-collared chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to Arizona and New Mexico in the United States.
Merriam's chipmunk is a species of chipmunk in the family Sciuridae. It is found in central and southern California in the United States and a small area in northern Baja California, Mexico.
The yellow-cheeked chipmunk, also known as the redwood chipmunk, is a species of rodent in the squirrel family, Sciuridae. It is endemic to areas near the coast of northern California in the United States where it inhabits coastal coniferous forest.
Palmer's chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae, endemic to Spring Mountains in southern Nevada. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. Palmer's chipmunks are limited to "sky islands" which are mountainous habitats that are surrounded by other lower elevation inhospitable habitats. It is primarily threatened by habitat loss. Palmer's chipmunk is named after Theodore Sherman Palmer, an American botanist and zoologist. With adequate habitat and food resources Palmer's chipmunks typically live from 1 to 4 years.
The Panamint chipmunk is a species of rodent in the squirrel family, Sciuridae. It is endemic to desert mountain areas of southeast California and southwest Nevada in the United States.
The long-eared chipmunk, also called the Sacramento chipmunk or the four-banded chipmunk, is a species of rodent in the squirrel family, Sciuridae. It is endemic to the central and northern Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada in the United States. Long-eared chipmunks have the longest ears of all species of chipmunks.
The Colorado chipmunk is a species of chipmunk in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is endemic to Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in the United States.
The red-tailed chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in Alberta and British Columbia in Canada and Montana, Idaho and Washington in the United States.
Allen's chipmunk, also known as the shadow chipmunk, is a species of chipmunk native to the western United States. Occurring in California, Oregon, and Nevada, it is a common species of the Sierra Nevada.
The Siskiyou chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to northern California and central Oregon in the United States.
The Sonoma chipmunk is a species of rodent in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is endemic to northwestern California in the United States. Members of Neotamias are characterized by having two premolars. N. sonomae has two subspecies: N. s. alleni and N. s. sonomae.
The Lodgepole chipmunk is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in the U.S. state of California at elevations from 1,500 to 3,000 metres. The Lodgepole chipmunk has a variety of common names including: Tahoe chipmunk, Sequoia chipmunk, Mt. Pinos chipmunk, and San Bernardino chipmunk.
The Uinta chipmunk or hidden forest chipmunk, is a species of chipmunk in the family Sciuridae. It is endemic to the United States. Formerly known as Tamias umbrinus, phylogenetic studies have shown it to be sufficiently distinct from the eastern chipmunk as to be placed in a separate genus, Neotamias. The same studies have also suggested that Palmer's chipmunk may actually be a subspecies of Uinta chipmunk, although the two are still generally regarded as separate species.
Neotamias is a genus of chipmunks within the tribe Marmotini of the squirrel family. It contains 23 species, which mostly occur in western North America. Along with Eutamias, this genus is often considered a subgenus of Tamias.
