Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
Habitat
The Alpine chipmunk inhabits high-elevation areas such as alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and subalpine coniferous forests in the Sierra Nevada and other western U.S. mountain ranges. It prefers regions above 2,000 meters with abundant rocks for burrows and nearby vegetation for food.
Diet
This species primarily eats seeds, nuts, berries, and fungi, supplemented by insects and occasionally green plants. It forages actively during the day, using its cheek pouches to transport food back to its burrow for storage.
Behavior
Alpine chipmunks are solitary and territorial, defending their burrows and food caches from intruders. They are diurnal, most active in the early morning and late afternoon, and exhibit hibernation during winter months with periods of torpor. Notable behaviors include rapid, darting movements and alarm calls to warn of danger.
Conservation Status
The Alpine chipmunk is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend and no major threats across its range.