Red-tailed Chipmunk - Tamias ruficaudus
Global Rank:
G5
State Rank:
S4
Agency Status
USFWS:
none
USFS:
none
BLM:
none
CFWCS Tier:
3
General Description
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Distribution
Montana Range
Observations in Montana: 216
Montana CountiesBeaverhead, Deer Lodge, Flathead, Glacier, Granite, Jefferson, Lake, Lewis and Clark, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli, Sanders, Silver Bow, Teton
Migration
Non-migratory.
Habitat
Moist forest--Douglas fir & subalpine fir. Most abundant in edge openings. Sometimes ranges into alpine except in Glacier NP area where T. minimus occupies alpine habitats (Hoffmann and Pattie 1968, Beg 1969). Will occupy higher elev. with T. amoenus.
Food Habits
Primarily seeds and fruits. Leaves and flowers in spring, less so in summer. Occasionally uses arthropods. Seasonal shifts in foraging sites and consumption related to avail- ability (Beg 1969). Hoards food.
Ecology
Contiguous allopatry with other chipmunks, though some over- lap occurs. Specific habitats vary. May-Oct ave monthly max. distr. moved: 384 ft--ad. males, 246 ft--breeding ad. females, 290 ft--non br. ad. females, 232 ft--juv. (Beg 1969).
Reproductive Characteristics
11.1-15.0% yearlings pregnant, 50-73% adult females pregnant each year. One litter/year, ave. 4.85 young/litter. Breed late Apr-May. Most young born in June. Lactation until mid to late July.
Citations & Sources
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