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Neotamias minimus

(Bachman, 1839)

Least Chipmunk

G5Secure Found in 165 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
PSESA Status
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103812
Element CodeAMAFB02020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilySciuridae
GenusNeotamias
USESAPS
Synonyms
Eutamias minimusTamias minimusBachman, 1839
Other Common Names
least chipmunk (EN) Tamia mineur (FR)
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Taxonomic Comments
See Patterson and Norris (2016) for a revised classification of Marmotini (Sciuridae: Xerinae), based on Thorington et al. (2012), Ge et al. (2014), and Patterson and Norris (2016); the three chipmunk lineages should be recognized as three distinct genera, namely, Tamias Illiger, 1811, Eutamias Trouessart, 1880, and Neotamias A. H. Howell, 1929. Thorington and Hoffmann (in Wilson and Reeder 2005) noted that chipmunks could be legitimately allocated to one (Tamias), two (Neotamias, Tamias), or three (Tamias, Neotamias, Eutamias) genera; they chose to adopt the single-genus (Tamias) arrangement.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-05
Change Date1996-11-05
Range Extent Comments
Central Yukon south through the Sierra Nevada and southern New Mexico, east to Michigan and western Quebec (Hoffmann et al., in Wilson and Reeder 1993). See Sullivan (1985) for biogeographic information.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Found in various habitats. Common in coniferous forests but also uses clearcuts, deciduous woods, sagebrush, riparian zones, and in western regions may even occur in alpine tundra. Winter nest up to 1 m below ground surface. Summer dens typically are in hollow logs or stumps, in rock piles, or under debris, evacuated burrows. Also nests in tree cavities above ground.

Ecology

Highly favorable habitats may contain 30 or more per acre, though average densities typically range from 5 to 15 per acre (Jackson 1961). Home range varies from less than an acre to 4 acres (Banfield 1974).

Reproduction

Breeds in early spring. Gestation lasts 31 days. Litter size is 2-7 (average 5-6). Only one litter per year. Second litter may be produced if first fails. Sexually mature in first spring.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralDesertAlpineCliff
Palustrine Habitats
FORESTED WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
QuebecS3Yes
Northwest TerritoriesS5Yes
OntarioS5Yes
SaskatchewanS5Yes
Yukon TerritoryS5Yes
AlbertaS5Yes
ManitobaS5Yes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
North DakotaSNRYes
WisconsinS3Yes
MichiganS3Yes
ColoradoS5Yes
OregonS4Yes
South DakotaS5Yes
NebraskaS1Yes
ArizonaS4Yes
NevadaS5Yes
MontanaS5Yes
CaliforniaSNRYes
New MexicoS4Yes
IdahoS5Yes
UtahS5Yes
MinnesotaSNRYes
WashingtonS4Yes
WyomingS5Yes
Navajo NationS3Yes
Roadless Areas (165)
Arizona (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big RidgeKaibab National Forest9,087
California (23)
AreaForestAcres
Benton RangeInyo National Forest9,637
Birch CreekInyo National Forest28,816
Black CanyonInyo National Forest32,421
Chineese Camp (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,339
Dexter CanyonInyo National Forest17,053
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Hall Natural AreaInyo National Forest5,236
Hoover - Emma LakeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,007
Hoover - Mt.olsenHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest624
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Hoover - Virginia LksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,050
Horse Mdw.Inyo National Forest5,687
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Log Cabin SaddlebagInyo National Forest15,165
Mt. OlsenInyo National Forest2,161
Nevahbe RidgeInyo National Forest302
NightStanislaus National Forest3,173
North LakeInyo National Forest2,406
Robinson PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,835
Silver HillHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,423
Table Mtn.Inyo National Forest4,215
Tioga LakeInyo National Forest829
WattersonInyo National Forest6,922
Colorado (8)
AreaForestAcres
Bristol HeadRio Grande NF46,087
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Dome PeakRoutt NF35,716
HermosaSan Juan NF148,103
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Pole Mountain / Finger MesaRio Grande NF43,863
San MiguelSan Juan NF64,263
Storm PeakSan Juan NF57,617
Idaho (8)
AreaForestAcres
Borah PeakSalmon-Challis National Forest130,463
Boulder - White CloudsSalmon-Challis National Forest139,297
Boulder - White CloudsSawtooth National Forest322,653
Italian PeakCaribou-Targhee National Forest141,158
Lemhi RangeSalmon-Challis National Forest308,533
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Minnesota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Baker - Homer - Brule LakesSuperior National Forest6,712
Montana (13)
AreaForestAcres
Anderson MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,501
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest88,003
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
Line Creek PlateauCuster National Forest24,825
Lost Water CanyonCuster National Forest9,251
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
Red Lodge Creek HellroaringCuster National Forest17,210
Tash PeakBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest61,312
West Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest133,563
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest248,631
Nevada (14)
AreaForestAcres
Cabin CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest10,706
Cave CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest6,145
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
Duck Creek Mtns.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest12,165
Jarbidge - CottonwoodHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,610
Moriah - Big CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest722
Moriah - Smith Ck. WHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest110
Moriah - West SlopeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest14,737
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
Rose - GalenaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,711
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
Ruby - Lamoille CynHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest32,771
Staunton RidgeHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest10,328
West Walker (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,683
New Mexico (16)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Canada Bonito RNASanta Fe National Forest487
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
GallinasSanta Fe National Forest13,208
Holy GhostSanta Fe National Forest2,352
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
Little TesuqueSanta Fe National Forest815
Nichols ReservoirSanta Fe National Forest1,518
Oser MesaCarson National Forest2,840
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
Polvadera PeakSanta Fe National Forest6,291
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
Tesuque CreekSanta Fe National Forest810
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Valle Del ToroSanta Fe National Forest1,862
North Dakota (4)
AreaForestAcres
Collar / Bennett - CottonwoodDakota Prairie Grasslands19,697
Long X DivideDakota Prairie Grasslands10,099
MagpieDakota Prairie Grasslands21,281
WannaganDakota Prairie Grasslands6,026
Oregon (4)
AreaForestAcres
Castle RidgeWallowa-Whitman National Forest8,377
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
W - T ThreeUmatilla National Forest1,705
Utah (41)
AreaForestAcres
0401001Ashley National Forest11,705
0401007Ashley National Forest16,483
0401011Ashley National Forest30,062
0401012Ashley National Forest46,400
0401024Ashley National Forest12,882
0419020Ashley National Forest355,684
418003Uinta National Forest10,912
418004Uinta National Forest16,661
418012Uinta National Forest25,758
418026Uinta National Forest14,038
418027Uinta National Forest13,884
418028Uinta National Forest34,002
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
418040Uinta National Forest1,702
Boulder Mtn. / Boulder Top / Deer LakeDixie National Forest110,690
FishhookDixie National Forest12,959
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest102,398
Hog RanchDixie National Forest17,130
HogsbackWasatch-Cache National Forest7,936
Horse Mountain - Mans PeakManti-Lasal National Forest22,159
LakesWasatch-Cache National Forest121,967
Lava BedsDixie National Forest14,944
Little West Fork BlacksWasatch-Cache National Forest8,209
Lone Peak ContiguousWasatch-Cache National Forest874
Long Neck Mesa / Steep Creek / Oak Creek - Steep Creek / OakDixie National Forest55,489
Mollens HollowWasatch-Cache National Forest17,690
Mt. AireWasatch-Cache National Forest9,681
Mt. Logan NorthWasatch-Cache National Forest18,930
Mt. NaomiWasatch-Cache National Forest41,922
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
Mt. Johns Peak - Mt AliceFishlake National Forest12,469
Muddy Creek - Nelson Mt.Manti-Lasal National Forest59,034
South FrancisWasatch-Cache National Forest3,374
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Stump CreekCaribou National Forest355
Sugar PineWasatch-Cache National Forest5,600
Table Cliffs - Henderson CanyonDixie National Forest19,581
Temple PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest24,081
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
Upper South ForkWasatch-Cache National Forest16,811
White PineWasatch-Cache National Forest1,942
Washington (2)
AreaForestAcres
Devils GulchWenatchee National Forest24,419
Lion RockWenatchee National Forest4,692
Wyoming (30)
AreaForestAcres
0401035Ashley National Forest5,465
0401036Ashley National Forest6,309
Bear RocksBighorn National Forest25,023
Beartooth Proposed WildernessShoshone National Forest16,837
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest113,757
Devils CanyonBighorn National Forest37,416
French CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest5,928
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest295,113
Horse Creek MesaBighorn National Forest77,808
Labonte CanyonMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest16,281
Leigh CreekBighorn National Forest19,180
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Little BighornBighorn National Forest133,949
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest10,108
ReefShoshone National Forest16,817
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest235,661
Snowy RangeMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest29,660
South Beartooth HighwayShoshone National Forest105,570
South Wyoming RangeBridger-Teton National Forest85,776
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Sulphur CreekShoshone National Forest30,221
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest143,252
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest51,961
Winegar HoleTarghee National Forest247
References (26)
  1. American Society of Mammalogists (ASM). 2024. The Mammal Diversity Database (MDD). Online. Available: www.mammaldiversity.org
  2. Baker, R. H. 1983. Michigan mammals. Michigan State University Press. 642 pp.
  3. Baker, R. J., L. C. Bradley, R. D. Bradley, J. W. Dragoo, M. D. Engstrom, R. S. Hoffman, C. A. Jones, F. Reid, D. W. Rice, and C. Jones. 2003a. Revised checklist of North American mammals north of Mexico, 2003. Museum of Texas Tech University Occasional Papers 229:1-23.
  4. Banfield, A. W. F. 1974. The mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Canada. 438 pp.
  5. Broadbooks, H. E. 1970a. Home ranges and territorial behavior of the yellow-pine chipmunk, <i>Eutamius amoenus.</i> Journal of Mammalogy 51:310-26.
  6. Broadbooks, H. E. 1970b. Populations of the yellow pine chipmunk, <i>Eutamias amoenus</i>. American Midland Naturalist 83:472-488.
  7. Brown, J. H. 1971. Mechanisms of competitive exclusion between two species of chipmunks. Ecology 52:305-311.
  8. Elliot, L. 1978. Social behavior and foraging ecology of the eastern chipmunk (<i>Tamias striatus</i>) in the Adirondack Mountains. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology No. 265. 107 pp.
  9. Gashwiler, J. S. 1965. Longevity and home range of a Townsend chipmunk. Journal of Mammalogy 46:693.
  10. Jackson, H. H. 1961. Mammals of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 504 pp.
  11. Jameson, E. W., Jr. 1999. Host-ectoparasite relationships among North American chipmunks. Acta Theriologica 44:225-231.
  12. Jones, J. K., Jr., R. S. Hoffman, D. W. Rice, C. Jones, R. J. Baker, and M. D. Engstrom. 1992a. Revised checklist of North American mammals north of Mexico, 1991. Occasional Papers, The Museum, Texas Tech University, 146:1-23.
  13. Levenson, H., et al. 1985. Systematics of the Holarctic chipmunks (<i>Tamias</i>). J. Mammalogy 66:219-242.
  14. Oxley, D. J., M. B. Fenton and G. R. Carmody. 1974. The effects of roads on populations of small mammals. Journal of Applied Ecology 11: 51-59.
  15. Patterson, B. D., and R. W. Norris. 2016. Towards a uniform nomenclature for ground squirrels: the status of the Holarctic chipmunks. Mammalia 80(3):241-251.
  16. Piaggio, A. J., and G. S. Spicer. 2001. Molecular phylogeny of the chipmunks inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase II gene sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 20:335-350.
  17. Roberts, D. R. 1962. Rodent movements in a cutover forest of the Sierra Nevada, California. Ph.D. thesis, University of California, Berkeley.
  18. Sheppard, D. 1972. Home ranges of chipmunks (<i>Eutamias</i>) in Alberta. Journal of Mammalogy 53:379- 380.
  19. Storer, T. I., F. C. Evans, and F. G. Palmer. 1944. Some rodent populations in the Sierra Nevada of California. Ecological Monographs 14:166-192.
  20. Sullivan, R. M. 1985. Phyletic, biogeographic, and ecologic relationships among montane populations of least chipmunks (EUTAMIAS MINIMUS). Syst. Zool. 34:419-448.
  21. Sutton, D. A. 1992. Tamias amoenus. Am. Soc. Mamm., Mammalian Species No. 390:1-8.
  22. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2021. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for the Peñasco Least Chipmunk and Designation of Critical Habitat. Federal Register 86(185):53583-53609.
  23. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2024. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Monarch Butterfly and Designation of Critical Habitat. Proposed rule. Federal Register 89(239):100662-100716.
  24. Wadsworth, C. E. 1972. Observations of the Colorado chipmunk in southeastern Utah. Southwestern Naturalist 16:451-454.
  25. Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
  26. Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 2005. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Third edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Two volumes. 2,142 pp. [As modified by ASM the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD) at https://www.mammaldiversity.org/index.html]