Tamias ruficaudus (A. H. Howell, 1920)

Red-tailed chipmunk

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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General Description

Description

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Smithsonian's North American Mammals external link
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Smithsonian Institution - North American Mammals external link
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Red-tailed chipmunks sandbathe to clean their fur, rolling and rubbing, sometimes half-buried in sand. They are rarely seen outside their burrows on cold winter days, but in the spring they are out and about, eating seedlings, leaves, and flowers on the forest floor and also foraging in trees. Young chipmunks leave the nest when they are 30-45 days old. The mother stays nearby and calls to them constantly while they are exploring. Individuals can live as long as 8 years in the wild, although most do not live that long.

Links:
Mammal Species of the World
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References
  • Howell, A.H., 1920.  Description of a new chipmunk from Glacier National Park, Montana, p. 91.  Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 33:91-92.
"Tamias ruficaudus (A. H. Howell, 1920)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/311562". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.