Family: Sciuridae, Squirrels view all from this family

Description Forehead light brown, washed with grayish; shoulders and sides brownish, with no gray wash. Back stripes very distinct; 3 middle stripes very dark; wide, dark brown side stripes. White below; tawny wash on sides. Tail black-tipped, white-bordered; tawny below, with narrow black band. Ears blackish in front, whitish behind. L 7 3/4–9 1/2" (196–243 mm); T 2 7/8–4 1/2" (73–115 mm); HF 1 1/8–1 3/8" (30–35 mm); Wt 2–3 oz (57–85 g).

Similar Species Least Chipmunk is smaller, with its underparts more grayish yellow and ears tawny in front. Townsend’s, Long-eared, and Cliff chipmunks have indistinct side stripes. Panamint Chipmunk has tawny shoulders, sides, and fronts of ears. Yellow-pine Chipmunk has distinct black side stripes. Lodgepole Chipmunk is brown above, with top of head brown. Gray-collared Chipmunk has gray cheeks and more gray on shoulders.

Breeding 1 litter per year of about 5 young born late June–early July; time of births varies with latitude and elevation.

Habitat Coniferous forests, mixed woods, open areas; dwells in yellow pine, white pine, juniper, and scrub oak.

Range West-central California, Nevada, Utah, nc Arizona, Wyoming, and nc Colorado.

Discussion This tree-dwelling species often occurs with the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel. Nuts, seeds, fruits, and berries are its chief foods. It accumulates much fat, which is used in hibernation during the long winters of its range.