(Neotamias minimus)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNR - Unranked |
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Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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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 |
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Size |
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Total length: 7¼″ to 8¾″ (185 to 222 mm) Head and body: 3⅝″ to Tail: |
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Sign |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Edges, openings, clearcuts, and disturbed areas within coniferous and mixed forests |
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Biology |
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Behavior |
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When running it holds its tail erect. |
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Lifespan |
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10 years |
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Life Cycle |
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Least chipmunk nests under stumps, logs, and rocks. It winters in a burrow it digs that reaches up to one meter underground. |
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Food |
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Seeds, nuts, fruits, acorns, snails, insect eggs and larvae, and small birds and mammals |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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8/19/2022 | ||||
Occurrence |
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Common |
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Taxonomy |
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Class | Mammalia (mammals) | ||
Subclass | Theria | ||
Infraclass | Eutheria (placental mammals) | ||
Magnorder | Boreoeutheria | ||
Superorder | Euarchontoglires (primates, rodents, and allies) | ||
Grandorder | Glires (rodents and rabbits) | ||
Order | Rodentiia (rodents) | ||
Suborder | Sciuromorpha (squirrels) | ||
Family |
Sciuridae (chipmunks, marmots, squirrels) | ||
Subfamily |
Xerinae (ground and African tree squirrels) | ||
Tribe | Marmotini (holarctic ground squirrels and chipmunks) | ||
Genus | Neotamias (western chipmunks) | ||
Tribe Genus |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Chuska Mountain chipmunk (Neotamias minimus chuskaensis) flathead least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus oreocetes) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus arizonensis) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus borealis) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus cacodemus) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus caniceps) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus caryi) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus confinis) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus consobrinus) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus grisescens) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus hudsonius) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus jacksoni) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus minimus) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus neglectus) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus operarius) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus pallidus) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus pictus) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus scrutator) least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus silvaticus) Peñasco least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus atristriatus) Selkirk least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus selkirki) |
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Synonyms |
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Eutamias minimus Tamias minimus |
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Common Names |
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least chipmunk |
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Glossary
Pelage
The coat of a mammal, consisting of fur, wool, or hair, and including a soft undercoat and stiff guard hairs.
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Ramona Abrego |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Other Videos |
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Tamias minimus LEAST CHIPMUNK & Golden-Mantled Squirrel Rob Curtis |
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About
Tamias minimus LEAST CHIPMUNK & Golden-Mantled Squirrel Feb 27, 2020 |
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Wild Peers: Least Chipmunk - Neotamias minimus - chipmunk nano #02 Zoo Zappers |
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About
Oct 1, 2012 Looking for broadcast footage? Don't shoot! Contact http://www.stockshot.nl/ © Least chipmunks are the smallest of all chipmunks. It is the most widespread species of chipmunk in North America. The least chipmunk is found in a variety of habitats and is active during the day . Chipmunks feed on seeds, berries, nuts, fruits and insects. 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. They breed in early spring. Females produce one litter usually of 5 or 6 young. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tvgreen |
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Created: 7/8/2020
Last Updated: