least chipmunk

Common

Edges, openings, clearcuts, and disturbed areas within coniferous and mixed forests

10 years

Least chipmunk is the most widespread and also the smallest of the North American chipmunks. In Canada it occurs from Ontario to Yukon Territory. In the United States it occurs west of the Great Plains and in the upper Great Lakes region. In Minnesota it occurs in the Arrowhead and north-central regions and is absent from the remainder of the state. There are 21 subspecies of least chipmunk. Only one, Neotamias minimus neglectus, occurs in Minnesota. It is found at the edges and in the openings, clearcuts, and disturbed areas of coniferous and mixed forests.

The adult is 7¼″ to 8¾″ (185 to 222 mm) long and weighs 1.48 to 1.87 ounces (42 to 53 grams). It weighs about half as much as an eastern chipmunk. The coat (pelage) on the sides is reddish-brown in the front, grayish brown in the rear. The rump is grayish-brown. The belly is grayish-white. There are five dark brown or black stripes on the back separated by white or cream-colored stripes. The middle stripe stretches from the nape of the neck to the base of the tail. On each side of the face there are three dark brown stripes separated by two white or cream-colored stripes. The facial stripes are well defined and highly visible. The tail is 3″ to 4½″ (76 to 114 mm) long, orangish-brown, and bushy.

Seeds, nuts, fruits, acorns, snails, insect eggs and larvae, and small birds and mammals

Least chipmunk nests under stumps, logs, and rocks. It winters in a burrow it digs that reaches up to one meter underground.

When running it holds its tail erect.

Sources: 6, 15, 24, 29, 30.

The map at left includes all iNaturalist observations except for a questionable observation in Chisago County and a clearly misidentified observation in Hennepin County.

Location: Cook County Gunflint Trail

Location: Cook County