Colorado Chipmunk

activity

Activity patterns. The Colorado Chipmunk is terrestrial, although sometimesit climbs to forage on trees and shrubs. It is diurnal and can be active year-round when weather is favorable. In severe winter weather, it may enter torporfor small periods, but emerge to forage as soon as weatheris favorable.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Rocky areas. The Colorado Chipmunk occurs in several types of vegetation, such as ponderosa pine forests (Pinus ponderosa, Pinaceae), spruce-fir forests (Picea, Pseudotsuga, Abies, all Pinaceae), pinyon-juniper (Pinus; Juniperus, Cupressaceae) or scrub oak (Quercus, Fagaceae) vegetation, desert shrub, and even alpine tundra.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Colorado Chipmunk has an overwinter survival of less than 33 %, which leads to common local extinction and recolonization events. Average home range is ¢. 2: 7 - 2 - 8 ind / ha. Vocalizations consist of loud high pitched “ chips ” and trills, and are sometimes given when an individualis in a safe location. When threatened, it seeks cover in rocks, logs or trees.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. Breeding season occurs from February to July, and varies by subspecies and distribution. Subspecies australis appears to have a bimodal reproductive season with one peak in February and another in July, although it is not clearif it is caused by a second litter or by late breeding. Breeding peaks also coincide with peaks in water availability. Nominate quadrivittatus breeds only once a year, in late spring. Litter size is 2 - 6 young and gestation is ¢. 30 - 33 days. Young are weaned by c. 6 - 7 weeks. Nests are built in underground burrows, crevices, and under rocks.

Sciuridae