Townsend's Chipmunk

activity

Activity patterns. Townsend’s Chipmunk is terrestrial and diurnal, with an activity peak at midday. It can be active year-round on the Pacific coast, but will hibernate in colder regions. In the eastern Cascade Mountains, USA, it can hibernate for up to 4 - 5 months.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Areas of dense underbrush in mesic closed-canopy forests. Townsend’s Chipmunk is more abundant in upland areas, but reproductive individuals are more common in riparian forests, and juveniles are more common in upland habitat. Presence of woody debris appears to be important and affects movement, and possibly survival, of individuals. Population density also increases when herbaceous plants and shrubs dominate after a forest clear-cut; it is known to use riparian buffersafter clear cutting.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Average home range size is 0 - 8 ha and average population density is 0 - 6 - 2 - 6 ind / ha; however, because Townsend’s Chipmunk appears to be a trap prone species, these estimations should be viewed with caution. The Yellow-pine Chipmunk (7. amoenus) is a common sympatric species, but Townsend’s Chipmunk appears to be the dominant of the two.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. Breeding season of Townsend’s Chipmunk occurs between late April and early May in colder temperate areas, and young emerge from nest during early July, however, some adults can be sexually active through entire summer, with some lactating females being found in early August. Gestation lasts 28 days and average littersize is 3 - 8 young, each weighing 3 - 2 - 3 - 9 g at birth. At ¢. 3 months old, young have an adult appearance, but only reach sexual maturity after the first winter.

Sciuridae