Sonoma Chipmunk

activity

Activity patterns. The Sonoma Chipmunk is diurnal and terrestrial, and produces alarm calls when threatened. Females call more frequently than males.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Upper Sonoran to transition life zone, in elevations below c. 1800 m. The Sonoma Chipmunk occurs in several types of habitats, such as open redwood forests (Sequoia sempervirens, Cupressaceae), dry low-elevation stands of Pinaceae: ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), white fir (Abies concolor), red fir (A. magnifica), digger pine (Pinus sabiniana), as well as brushy open fields, riparian forests, and in scrub oak (Quercus, Fagaceae) vegetation, such as chaparral.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. After weaning, female juveniles often stay at the nest, whereas male juveniles disperse. It is hypothesized that this differential dispersal system and resulting female kin clusters have facilitated evolution of the alarm calling behavior by kin selection.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. Breeding season occurs in spring, and females produce a litter of 3 - 5 young, once per year. Populations at sea level can reproduce earlier in year than populations living at higher elevations.

Sciuridae