Northern California is home to four chipmunk species, each found in unique habitats across the region. The yellow-pine chipmunk (Tamias amoenus) makes its home in meadows and the edges of coniferous forests, from Mammoth Pass to the Yolla Bolly Range. Yellow-pines feed primarily on seeds, grasses and some fungi, as well as fruit, eggs and insects. The medium-brown chipmunk sports five alternating black and white stripes across its back and has a white belly. Its size ranges from 7 to 9 1/2 inches from its nose to the tip of its tail. Additional northern species include the yellow-cheeked chipmunk (Tamias ochrogenys), the long-eared chipmunk (Tamias quadrimaculatus) and the siskiyou chipmunk (Tamias siskiyou).
The Alpine chipmunk (Tamias alpinus) has a limited habitat in California, sticking to the high, rocky areas of the Sierra Nevada through some of Yosemite and into Olancha Peak. It prefers areas at approximately 7,600 feet above sea level and makes its home in shrubs along cliffs, slopes and fields. It eats primarily seeds and grasses, but also forages for pinecone seeds, forbs and fungi. Another central California species is the lodgepole chipmunk (Tamias speciosus), which is found primarily in the Sierra Nevadas but also makes its home in northern and southern parts of the state.
Merriam's chipmunks (Tamias merriami) live in very specific parts of central and southern California. They thrive in areas heavily populated with trees, shrubs and low-lying brush. Like other chipmunks, they feed on fruit and nuts, seeds, grasses and insects. Their mature length is approximately 5 inches, and they feature a gray-brown body with dark stripes down the back, with a white belly and cheeks. Populations near the coast along San Francisco Bay tend to be darker than those in the eastern parts of the state. Less common chipmunk populations include the California chipmunk (Tamias obscurus) and the Panamint chipmunk (Tamias panamintinus) along certain parts of southeastern California.
The least chipmunk (Tamias minimus) has one of widest distributions of chipmunk species in the United States. Its largest populations reside along the Rocky Mountains; sizable numbers also occupy the Great Plains. They reach a mature length of approximately 9 inches and feature orange-brown fur with three dark and two light stripes along the face. Their diet consists primarily of plants -- fruits, nuts and berries -- but may include insects, small mice and snails. They spend much of the winter in hibernation and April through October foraging for and storing food. Allen's chipmunk (Tamias senex), Sonoma chipmunk (Tamias sonomae) and Uinta chipmunk (Tamias umbrinus) are also found throughout California.
