Search Field Guide
Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Least Chipmunk - Tamias minimus

Google for more images Google for web pages

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S4

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3





 

General Description
We do not yet have descriptive information on this species.  Please try the buttons above to search for information from other sources.

Distribution
Montana Range




Observations in Montana: 303

Montana Counties
Beaverhead, Big Horn, Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Chouteau, Custer, Dawson, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin, Garfield, Glacier, Golden Valley, Hill, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Madison, Meagher, Musselshell, Park, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Ravalli, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Yellowstone



Migration
Non-migratory.

Habitat
Only chipmunk found regularly in sagebrush area of E. and SW MT. Also found in brushy grasslands, coniferous forests, alpine tundra, and timberline krummholz. Habitat preference influenced by sympatric chipmunk species (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968).

Food Habits
Seeds and berries. Uses berry pits, seeds of grasses, sedges, and weeds. Stores food. Also uses invertebrates.

Ecology
T. minimus ordinarily inhabits lower elev, drier habitats than T. amoenus or T. ruficaudus. However, in Glacier N.P. area, T. minimus occupies the alpine and T. ruficaudus and T. amoenus occur at lower elevations.

Reproductive Characteristics
Breeds soon after emergence. Young are independent within 2 months. (Jones et al. 1983).

Citations & Sources
Additional Sources of Information Related to "Mammals"
Login Logout
Citation for data on this website:
Least Chipmunk — Tamias minimus.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on July 4, 2009, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AMAFB02020.aspx
 
There are currently 63 active users in the Montana Field Guide.