Least Chipmunk
Tamias minimus
Summary 3
The least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) is the smallest chipmunk in North America, ranging from less than seven inches to nine inches long, including the length of their tail. This particular species can be distinguished from other small rodents by the five black stripes on its back as well as the two stripes that extend onto the head. They can also be identified by their rapid, and nervous movements.
Associations 4
As animals that carry nuts and seeds from one place to another, least chipmunks are probably very important in seed dispersal. They also play and important role as a food source to their predators. They also provide habitat for a number of parasites.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; creates habitat
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
- fleas
- ticks
- lice
- mites
- nematode worms
Major threats to these animals include weasels, goshawks, Cooper's hawks, snakes, mink, red fox, bobcats, and martens, as well as domestic dogs and cats.
Known Predators:
- weasels
- goshawks
- Cooper's hawks
- snakes
- mink
- red fox
- bobcats
- martens
- domestic dogs
- domestic cat
Behaviour 5
Like other diurnal sciurids, vision is an important part of commmunication. Visual signals, such as body posture, convey important information to conspecifics.
In addition to visual communication, these animals use a variety of auditory signals to communicate. They use calls to advertize their ownership of a territory, to find mates, and when they feel threatened.
Tactile communication is important between mothers and their offspring, as well as between mates and rivals.
The role of olfactory cues in this species have not been described, but scents are often important in individual recognition. It is likley that there are some chemical cues used by these chipmunks in communication.
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Communication and perception 6
Like other squirrels that are active during the day, vision is an important part of commmunication. Visual signals, such as body posture and tail movement, deliver important information to other chipm.
Sounds are also used in the communication of these animals. Least chipmunks use calls to advertize their ownership of a territory, to find mates, and when they feel threatened.
Touching lets some chipmunks communicate. This is especially important between mothers and their offspring. It is also important for mates and rivals.
The role of scents in chipmunk communication has not been described. Smells are likely tpo be important in helping chipmunks recognize one another.
Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic
Conservation status 7
The primary threat to least chipmunks is habitat loss caused by the encroachment of humans. Hunting or trapping may also pose a small threat. Currently least chipmunk populations are steady.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
Cyclicity 8
Comments: May be active throughout the day, but prefers the sunny midday hours. Begins semihibernation in late October. Fully active by mid-March. May be active on warm winter days.
Description 9
The least chipmunk is the smallest and most widely distributed North American chipmunk. It occurs in a variety of habitats, from coniferous forests to meadows to sagebrush desert, feeding primarily on seeds but also eating flowers, buds, leaves, grasses, fungi, and even insects, eggs, and carrion. Least chipmunks are diurnal, like all ground-dwelling members of squirrel family. They retreat to their burrows at night and spend the winter underground, periodically waking up to feed on stored food. They scatter-hoard, storing seeds all over the place, so they unwittingly help many species of plants sprout in new places.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Distribution 10
Least chipmunks, Tamias minimus, are found throughout North America, occupying much of the Rocky Mountain region and the western Great Plains of the United States. In addition, they are found throughout central and western Canada and in parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native ) This particular species can be found in Iron County, Utah.
Food habits 11
Least chipmunks eat a wide variety of foods. Their diet including nuts, berries, fruits, grasses, fungi, snails, insects, and possibly some small birds and mammals. From April through October, much of a chipmunk's time is spent foraging. Least chipmunks forage both on the ground and in trees at heights up to 9 m (Kurta, 1995). Cheek pouches allow individuals to carry multiple food items back to their burrows, where they are either eaten or stored for future use.
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; carrion ; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods; mollusks; terrestrial worms
Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; flowers
Other Foods: fungus
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Habitat 12
It is the most widespread species of chipmunk in North America occurring across north-central and western United States and from British Columbia and southern Yukon to western Quebec in Canada.p>Least chipmunks sometimes live in forests, but prefer more open areas such as forest edges and openings. They are often found near rock cliffs, river bluffs, and open jack pine stands.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; forest ; scrub forest
Least chipmunks are found throughout the boreal and temperate forests of North America. However, least chipmunks prefer more open areas such as forest edges and openings. They are also commonly found near rock cliffs, river bluffs, and open jack pine stands.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; forest ; scrub forest
Comments: Found in various habitats. Common in coniferous forests but also uses clearcuts, deciduous woods, sagebrush, riparian zones, and in western regions may even occur in alpine tundra. Winter nest up to 1 m below ground surface. Summer dens typically are in hollow logs or stumps, in rock piles, or under debris, evacuated burrows. Also nests in tree cavities above ground.
Scat 13
The scat of the least chipmunk looks very similar to the scat of other small rodents. The size of the scat is typically 0.2-0.5 centimeters long and resemble a pellet shape. Typically the scat is found gathered together forming a small group, not just a singular pellet.
Tracks 13
The tracks of the least chipmunk are typical rodent tracks. The toes on the front and hind foot are long and skinny. These can be distinguished from squirrels due to their size. The least chipmunk leaves a smaller track measuring on the front 1.1-1.9 centimeters and on the hind 1.1-2.8 centimeters. On the front foot there are typically two pads that register along with a heel mark, that is typically as wide as the palm. The hind foot is larger than the front and the heel typically is left in the track.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Erin and Lance Willett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/60477398@N00/2900188036
- (c) madilynnehring, all rights reserved
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamias_minimus
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31425918
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31425915
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25067239
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25067245
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28819070
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/6625740
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31425910
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25067240
- Adapted by madilynnehring from a work by (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25067235
- (c) madilynnehring, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
