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Lodgepole Chipmunk
ExploreMammals
Lodgepole Chipmunk
Neotamias speciosus
The Lodgepole Chipmunk is a small, striped animal that loves to scurry around in the forest. They have big cheeks to store food and are very playful, making them fun to watch!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Lodgepole Chipmunk is a small, striped rodent with five prominent dark stripes on its back, separated by lighter stripes. Its fur is reddish-brown to grayish-brown, with white underparts and a distinct white stripe above and below its eye. A relatively long, bushy tail completes its look.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusTamias
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Lodgepole Chipmunks are very territorial and will boldly chase rivals away from their space.
Their stripes help break up their shape, hiding them from sharp-eyed hawks!
They 'hibernate' but wake often to snack on stored food in their cozy burrow!
They use their bushy tail as a counterbalance, helping them scamper quickly and safely.
Special abilities
Ability
Cheek Pouch Hoarding
Lodgepole Chipmunk has expandable cheek pouches that help them carry large amounts of food back to their burrows for storage.
Ability
Arboreal Agility
Lodgepole Chipmunk can climb trees and rocks with ease because of its agile body and sharp claws that help it navigate its habitat.
Ability
Underground Architects
Lodgepole Chipmunk can dig intricate underground burrows that help them stay safe from predators and store food during winter.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 18-24 cm
- Weight
- 0.045-0.08 kg
- Lifespan
- 2-5 years
- Top Speed
- 15 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-8
- Gestation
- 28-32 days
Diet & Feeding
These busy chipmunks mostly eat seeds, nuts, and berries they gather in their forest homes.
Primary Foods
- conifer seeds
- berries
- nuts
- fungi
- insects
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
A common aerial predator soaring above its forest home.
eats
Lodgepole Pine
Pinus contorta
Relies on this tree's seeds as a major food source.
eaten by
Short-tailed Weasel
Mustela erminea
A swift ground predator that hunts chipmunks in their burrows.
eats
Grouse Whortleberry
Vaccinium scoparium
Enjoys the tasty fruits of this common forest shrub.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Watch from a distance and don't try to touch or catch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Lodgepole Chipmunk?
18-24 cm
How much does Lodgepole Chipmunk weigh?
0.045-0.08 kg
How long does Lodgepole Chipmunk live?
2-5 years
How fast can Lodgepole Chipmunk move?
15 km/h
What does Lodgepole Chipmunk eat?
These busy chipmunks mostly eat seeds, nuts, and berries they gather in their forest homes.
Where is Lodgepole Chipmunk usually found?
Forests
How does Lodgepole Chipmunk hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Lodgepole Chipmunk usually have?
3-8
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