Least Chipmunk (Neotamias minimus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Neotamias ("new steward") minimus ("small")

Adult Least Chipmunk (Neotamias minimus) in Yukon, Canada - August 2024

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: 25-66g  /  Length: 15-25cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The smallest of all the chipmunks, they are one of the less arboreal species and are often found in safebrush, along rivers and in confirerous woodland. As a smaller species, they are actually able to be more successful in food scarce environments and support higher population densities in them.  They enter torpor in Winter, which in the colder parts of it's range can be for up to 7 months. 

Related Species:
Order: Rodentia 
Family: Sciuridae 
Genus: Neotamias 
SUBSPECIES: N. m. arizonensis, N. m. borealis, N. m. caniceps, N. m. caryi, N. m chuskaensis, N. m. confinis, N. m. consobrinus, N. m. hudsonius, N. m. jacksoni, N. m. minimus, N. m. neglectus, N. m. operarius, N. m. oreocetus, N. m. pallidus, N. m. pictus, N. m. scrutator

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present between Great Lakes and Yukon
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in Yukon

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology:  Tamias ("steward") striatus ("striated")

Adult Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) at St Charles, Illinois - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: possibly Tamias striatus ohioensis
Weight: 66-150g  /  Length: 30cm
NO UK STATUS/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small species of squirrel found in the Eastern United States - despite their arboreal nature they are actually more technically a kind of ground squirrel. They have a diverse range of vocalisations which they use to communicate and indicate altert noises to one another.

Related Species:
Order: Rodentia 
Family: Sciuridae 
Genus: Tamias 
SUBSPECIES: T. s. doorsiensis, T. s. striatus, T. s. fisheri, T. s. griseus, T. s. lysteri, T. s. ohioensis, T. s. peninsulae, T. s. pipilans, T. s. quebecensis, T. s. rufescens, T. s. venustus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found in Eastern Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Illinois

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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