California Chipmunk

activity

Activity patterns. The California Chipmunk is terrestrial, diurnal, and active yearround. It may not leave its nest during entire winter season. Daily activity is bimodal, with the first peak at early morning and the second peak at late afternoon. Burrow structure is very variable, ranging from straight deep tunnels to systems with short side branches and nest chambers. One burrow was reported to have beads of condensed water on the ceiling, which could have provided some water to the inhabitant. Nests in fallen logs and cactus cavities are also reported.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Pinyon-juniper (Pinus, Pinaceae; Juniperus, Cupressaceae) and pine-oak (Pinus, Quercus, Fagaceae) vegetation, at elevations of ¢. 1200 - 3000 m. Habitat use varies along geographical and elevational distributions. In California, it inhabits pine-fir-oak (Pinus, Abies, Pinaceae; Quercus) forests in the transition zone, pinyon-juniper (Pinus; Juniperus) vegetation in the upper Sonoran zone, lodgepole pine — chinquapin (FP. contorta, Chrysolepis sempervirens, Fagaceae) vegetation in the Canadian life zone, and oak chaparral (Quercus chrysolepis, Adenostoma, Rosaceae) in elevations below ¢. 1500 m. In Mexico, it can be found on rock outcrops, talus slopes, and even in palm-cactus stands in the lower Sonoran life zone.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. The California Chipmunk has a long breeding season, fromJanuary through June, though likely only produces one litter a year of 3 - 4 young. Elevation affects timing of breeding period, with mating of subspecies meridionalis occurring in early January, in Baja California, but in early March in Sierra Juarez at elevations of ¢. 1500 m.

Sciuridae