The California chipmunk (Tamias obscurus) is a small chipmunk found in the mountains of southern California and, to the south, across desert ranges into Baja California, where its populations are scattered and disjunct. Animal Diversity Web places it at elevations of roughly 760 to 2600 metres, in pinyon-juniper or pine-oak forests with manzanita or sage and nearby rocky outcrops. Adults measure 208 to 240 millimetres in total length and weigh about 56 to 90 grams, with indistinct colouring: russet-brown dorsal stripes offset by pale grey ones, and a creamy white belly. Unlike many other chipmunks it does not hibernate. It is diurnal, feeds mostly on the seeds, nuts and fruit of grasses, forbs and shrubs, and stores food in its den or burrow. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, although its range is very limited.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleNo Significant Interaction with Humans 1 Living or Extinct Scientific Name Conservation Status Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source California chipmunk (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Tamias obscurus (Animal Diversity Web)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Tamias obscurus (Animal Diversity Web)Geographic Range, southQuote, Geographic Range, south
across desert ranges into Baja California, reaching as far south as the Sierra de
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Tamias obscurus (Animal Diversity Web)Geographic RangeQuote, Geographic Range
California in a series of disjunct populations. Their range also extends southward,
Sources
1. Tamias obscurus (Animal Diversity Web)
Conservation Status, IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Primary Diet
likely subsists on a variety of seeds and fruits of grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
Food Habits, seeds
likely subsists on a variety of seeds and fruits of grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
Food Habits, fruits
likely subsists on a variety of seeds and fruits of grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
Habitat Regions
terrestrial
Behavior, activity
This diurnal chipmunk is active throughout the year.
Conservation Status, CITES
No special status
Lifespan/Longevity, captivity record
10 (high) years
Geographic Range
California in a series of disjunct populations. Their range also extends southward,
Geographic Range, south
across desert ranges into Baja California, reaching as far south as the Sierra de
Economic Importance for Humans
These chipmunks have no known impact on humans.
In Biome: Temperate Forest, Habitat
pinyon-juniper or pine-oak forests, often with manzanita
In Group: Rodents And Lagomorphs, Classification
Rodentia
View the Source2. California chipmunk (Wikipedia)
LeadQuote, Lead
The California chipmunk or chaparral chipmunk (Neotamias obscurus)
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