ExploreMammals

Merriam's Chipmunk

Neotamias merriami

Merriam's Chipmunk is a small, striped animal that loves to scurry around in the forest. They have big cheeks that they fill with food to take back to their burrows!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Merriam's Chipmunk is a medium-sized chipmunk with a yellowish-gray to brownish-gray coat. It has five prominent dark stripes down its back and sides, separated by four lighter stripes. Its relatively long, somewhat bushy tail and small ears help distinguish it visually from other chipmunks.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusTamias
Merriam's Chipmunk
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Merriam's Chipmunk

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

By forgetting where they buried some seeds, they accidentally help new plants grow!

Merriam's Chipmunks enter a deep sleep called torpor, sometimes for days, to save energy!

Their long tail helps Merriam's Chipmunks balance perfectly while scampering across branches!

They make high-pitched 'chip-chip' calls to warn nearby chipmunks about danger!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Stash Pockets

Merriam's Chipmunk has expandable cheek pouches that help them carry large amounts of food back to their burrow.

Ability

Tree Acrobatics

Merriam's Chipmunk can skillfully climb trees and rocks because of their sharp claws, helping them escape predators.

Ability

Underground Builder

Merriam's Chipmunk can dig complex burrows that provide safe shelter and storage for their stored food.

Measurements & details

Length
11-15 cm
Weight
0.04-0.08 kg
Lifespan
2-5 years
Top Speed
20 km/h
Litter Size
2-8
Gestation
30-31 days

Diet & Feeding

These chipmunks eat a mix of seeds, nuts, fruits, and even tiny insects to stay healthy!

Primary Foods

  • Seeds
  • Nuts
  • Berries
  • Fungi
  • Insects

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Great Horned Owl

Bubo virginianus

Owls hunt them from above.

eaten by

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

Snakes ambush them on the ground.

eaten by

Bobcat

Lynx rufus

Bobcats are stealthy hunters of chipmunks.

depends on

California Live Oak

Quercus agrifolia

Relies on acorns from oak trees.

eats

Bigberry Manzanita

Arctostaphylos glauca

Enjoys eating the sweet berries.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Watch from a distance and don't try to catch them; they are wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Merriam's Chipmunk?

The easiest way to identify Merriam's Chipmunk is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Merriam's Chipmunk?

11-15 cm

How much does Merriam's Chipmunk weigh?

0.04-0.08 kg

How long does Merriam's Chipmunk live?

2-5 years

How fast can Merriam's Chipmunk move?

20 km/h

What does Merriam's Chipmunk eat?

These chipmunks eat a mix of seeds, nuts, fruits, and even tiny insects to stay healthy!

Where is Merriam's Chipmunk usually found?

Forests

How does Merriam's Chipmunk hunt?

Foraging

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