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Townsend's Chipmunk

Neotamias townsendii

Townsend's Chipmunks are small, striped animals that love to scurry around in the forests. They are very playful and can often be seen collecting nuts and seeds to store for winter.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Townsend's Chipmunk is one of the largest chipmunks, featuring a grizzled brown coat with less distinct stripes compared to other species. It often has a reddish-brown wash along its sides and a greyish head and rump, helping it blend into dense forest undergrowth.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusTamias
Townsend's Chipmunk
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Townsend's Chipmunk

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

2

Interesting facts

Even in winter, they don't truly sleep for months; they wake up to munch on their stored food!

Their long tail helps them balance perfectly when climbing high in trees!

They help spread tree seeds by burying them, sometimes forgetting where they put them!

They whistle loudly to warn other chipmunks when a hawk or coyote is nearby!

Special abilities

Ability

Super Stash Sacks

Townsend's Chipmunk has expandable cheek pouches that help them carry huge amounts of food back to their burrow in one trip!

Ability

Forest Fort Builder

Townsend's Chipmunk can dig complex underground burrows that shelter them from predators and extreme weather.

Ability

Master Climber

Townsend's Chipmunk can quickly scramble up trees and shrubs because of their strong claws and agile bodies, escaping danger.

Measurements & details

Length
23-26 cm
Weight
0.05-0.1 kg
Lifespan
2-5 years
Top Speed
24 km/h
Litter Size
3-7
Gestation
30-32 days

Diet & Feeding

They munch on seeds, nuts, fruits, and tiny insects, often storing food for later snacks!

Primary Foods

  • Conifer seeds
  • Berries
  • Fungi
  • Acorns
  • Insects

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Townsend's Chipmunk?

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

How long is Townsend's Chipmunk?

23-26 cm

How much does Townsend's Chipmunk weigh?

0.05-0.1 kg

How long does Townsend's Chipmunk live?

2-5 years

How fast can Townsend's Chipmunk move?

24 km/h

What does Townsend's Chipmunk eat?

They munch on seeds, nuts, fruits, and tiny insects, often storing food for later snacks!

Where is Townsend's Chipmunk usually found?

Forests

How does Townsend's Chipmunk hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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