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Home/Species/ Gray-collared Chipmunk

Neotamias cinereicollis

(J.A. Allen, 1890)

Gray-collared Chipmunk

G4Apparently Secure Found in 4 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102849
Element CodeAMAFB02140
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilySciuridae
GenusNeotamias
Synonyms
Eutamias cinereicollisTamias cinereicollisJ.A. Allen, 1890
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.

Formerly included T. canipes, which was elevated to full species status by Fleharty (1960).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-08-05
Change Date1996-11-06
Edition Date2025-08-05
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2025)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank Reasons
This species is widespread and common in eastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. There are no major rangewide threats and population trends are presumed to be stable.
Range Extent Comments
This species occurs in the mountains of central and eastern Arizona and central and southwestern New Mexico (Hoffmann et al., in Wilson and Reeder 1993). It is found in Bill Williams and San Francisco mountains southeastward across the Mogollon Plateau to the White Mountains and Prieto Plateau, and into the Black, Datil, Elk, Magdalena, Mimbres, Mogollon, San Francisco, and San Mateo mountains of New Mexico; elevations of 1950-3440 m (most common at 2100-3300 m) (Hilton and Best 1993). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records, range extent is estimated to be 81,603 km² (RARECAT 2025).
Occurrences Comments
Using GBIF (2025) records, 85 occurrences are estimated (RARECAT 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Climate change is projected to reduce the amount of suitable habitat for this species (Nehiba 2018). Forest succession and increasing canopy density reduce abundance of this species (Converse et al. 2006, Kalies and Covington 2016).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

High mountains. Clearings and forest edges; pine, spruce, and fir forests. Most common where pine and Douglas-fir overlap (Hilton and Best 1993). In only most mesic higher forests in some areas (e.g., San Mateo and Magdalena mountains) (Findley et al. 1975). May be common in oak-juniper habitats in some areas. Perches on logs and stumps, commonly climbs trees. Nests are placed under logs, stumps, and roots, or in hollows of trees (Hoffmeister 1986), including woodpecker holes.

Ecology

Population density in Arizona was estimated at 5/ha in May, 12.5/ha in August (see Hoffmeister 1986).

Reproduction

In Arizona: young are born in first half of June; gestation lasts at least 30 days; individual adult females produce 1 litter of 4-6 young annually; nursing period lasts 41-45 days; young appear above ground by late July (Hoffmeister 1986).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - ConiferWoodland - ConiferWoodland - Mixed
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
New MexicoS3Yes
ArizonaS4Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
7 - Natural system modificationsLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7.1 - Fire & fire suppressionLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7.1.2 - Suppression in fire frequency/intensityLarge (31-70%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.1 - Habitat shifting & alterationLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

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Roadless Areas (4)
Arizona (1)
AreaForestAcres
Barbershop CanyonCoconino National Forest1,311
New Mexico (3)
AreaForestAcres
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Sawyers PeakGila National Forest59,743
References (33)
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  2. Bailey, V. 1971. Mammals of the Southwestern United States with special reference to New Mexico. Dover Publications, New York.
  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. Converse, S. J., W. M. Block, and G. C. White. 2006. Small mammal population and habitat responses to forest thinning and prescribed fire. Forest Ecology and Management 228: 1–3: 263-273.
  9. 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.
  10. Findley, J. S., A. H. Harris, D. E. Wilson, and C. Jones. 1975. Mammals of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 360 pp.
  11. Fleharty, E. D. 1960. The status of the gray-necked chipmunk in New Mexico. J. Mamm. 41:235-242.
  12. Gashwiler, J. S. 1965. Longevity and home range of a Townsend chipmunk. Journal of Mammalogy 46:693.
  13. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
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  15. Hilton, C. D., and T. L. Best. 1993. Tamias cinereicollis. Am. Soc. Mamm., Mammalian Species No. 436:1-5.
  16. Hoffmeister, D. F. 1986. Mammals of Arizona. University of Arizona Press and Arizona Game and Fish Department. 602 pp.
  17. Jackson, H. H. 1961. Mammals of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 504 pp.
  18. Jameson, E. W., Jr. 1999. Host-ectoparasite relationships among North American chipmunks. Acta Theriologica 44:225-231.
  19. 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.
  20. Kalies, E. L., and W. W. Covington. 2012. Small mammal community maintains stability through compensatory dynamics after restoration of a ponderosa pine forest. Ecosphere 3(9): 78. doi10.18: 90/ES12-00143.1
  21. Levenson, H., et al. 1985. Systematics of the Holarctic chipmunks (<i>Tamias</i>). J. Mammalogy 66:219-242.
  22. Nehiba, K. R. 2018. Climate driven range shifts of North American small mammals: species' traits and phylogenetic influences. M.S. thesis. Northern Michigan University, Marquette. 138 pp.
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
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  28. Sheppard, D. 1972. Home ranges of chipmunks (<i>Eutamias</i>) in Alberta. Journal of Mammalogy 53:379- 380.
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  31. Wadsworth, C. E. 1972. Observations of the Colorado chipmunk in southeastern Utah. Southwestern Naturalist 16:451-454.
  32. 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/.
  33. 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]