Family: Sciuridae, Squirrels view all from this family

Description A large, brightly colored chipmunk. Deep tawny above and on sides; gray rump contrasts with front part of body. Tail rufous above, dark reddish below. 3 median stripes on back black; outer stripes brownish. 2 white and 3 brown stripes on cheeks. L 8 3/4–9 3/4" (223–248 mm); T 4–4 3/4" (101–122 mm); HF 1 1/4–1 3/8" (32–36 mm); Wt about 2 oz (60 g).

Similar Species Least Chipmunk is smaller, with shorter tail and ears, and without contrasting rump. Yellow-pine Chipmunk is grayish yellow on underside of tail; ears and tail are shorter.

Breeding Mates April–May (later farther north). Bears 4–6 young per litter. Gestation probably about 30 days.

Habitat Spruce-fir, pine-larch-fir, or yellow pine coniferous forests; boulder-covered slopes and mountains below timberline, particularly in dense forest areas.

Range Southeastern British Columbia, ne Washington, n Idaho, and w Montana.

Discussion Little is known about the habits of the Red-tailed Chipmunk, which is more arboreal than most chipmunks. During cold weather the Red-tailed Chipmunk stays in its burrow but apparently does not hibernate. Its known foods are the seeds of fir trees, honeysuckle, black locust, cranberries, and knotweed. In northeastern Washington three dried-grass nests were discovered in spruce trees, resting on limbs close to the trunk about 20 to 60 feet (6–18 m) above the ground. Two ground nests, built of dried grass and lichens, were found in tunnels in the same area. This species sandbathes, rolling its body from side to side in the sand while simultaneously moving forward. It gives a short warning bark when alarmed.