The alpine chipmunk (''Neotamias alpinus'') is a species of

chipmunk Chipmunks are small, striped rodents of the family Sciuridae. Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk which is found primarily in Asia. Taxonomy and systematics Chipmunks may be classified either as ...

native to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada of

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

Description

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. Overall the pattern is much paler compared to most species. They weigh 27-45 grams.

Distribution

Alpine chipmunks only live in high Sierra Nevada, from

Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park ( ) is an American national park in California, surrounded on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers an ...

in the north, to Olancha Peak in the south. They have been observed at altitudes from around 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) to 3,900 meters (12,800 ft), though they rarely occur below 2,500 meters (8,200 ft).

Behavior and ecology

The alpine chipmunk feeds on the seeds of sedges, grasses, and other plants in their namesake

alpine zone Alpine tundra is a type of natural region or biome that does not contain trees because it is at high elevation, with an associated alpine climate, harsh climate. As the latitude of a location approaches the poles, the threshold elevation for alp ...

. 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 Hibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy characterized by low body-temperature, slow breathing and heart-rate, and low metabolic rate. It most ...

from November through April, frequently awakening to eat.

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from1=Q24662785, from2=Q1766259 Neotamias Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Endemic fauna of California Endemic fauna of Nevada Mammals of the United States Rodents of North America Mammals described in 1893 Taxa named by Clinton Hart Merriam