The name chipmunk is derived from the chipping noises these animals make with their teeth. Loud trilling type noises are used to call to potential mates, as well as in defending territories.
In addition to vocal communication, most species of chipmunk use visual cues, such as body posture and tail positioning, in communicating with other members of their species. Tactile communication is likely to figure prominently in maternal interactions with young, as well as in mating. The role of chemical communication has not been described in these animals.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Palmer’s chipmunks are not endangered, but the species is listed as a population of concern in Nevada. Since this species is restricted to the Spring Mountains, human impact due to habitat loss and increasing recreational activity is of potential concern. IUCN lists these animals as vulnerable.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered
These animals have no reported negative impact on humans.
These animals have a very restricted range, and do not often come in contact with humans. As such, it is unlikely that they have any positive impact on human economies.
Tamias palmeri plays an important role in the food chain. It also helps in seed dispersal for various forms of plants. These chipmunks have a symbiotic relationship with mychorrizal fungi.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
Palmer's chipmunks are omnivorous. Their diet includes seeds, fruits, various plants, fungus, and invertebrates such as worms, snails and insect larvae. Bird eggs and small mice are occasionally eaten. From spring through autumn, the diet consists mainly of seeds, fruits, greens and flowers. Invertebrates are not part of the diet during spring, but may be found in other seasons.
In the autumn, Palmer's chipmunks gather and store food to be used during winter.
Animal Foods: mammals; eggs; insects
Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit
Other Foods: fungus
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: omnivore
Palmer's chipmunks, Tamias palmeri, are found solely in the state of Nevada. This species is restricted to the Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Palmer’s chipmunks are found at elevations between 2,100 and 3,600 m in the Spring Mountains. They are most abundant between 2,400 and 2,550 m. Tamias palmeri is commonly found in coniferous forests that contain juniper-piñon pine, fir-pine, and bristlecone pine communities. In the Spring Mountains, Panamint chipmunks, Tamias panamintinus, inhabit lower elevation forests.
Range elevation: 2100 to 3600 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: chaparral ; forest ; mountains
Depending on food availability, weather conditions and predator/prey situations, the lifespan of T. palmeri is between one to four years.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 1 to 4 years.
The total body length varies from 210 to 223 mm. The tail measures between 86.5 and 101.5 mm. The body weight ranges from 50 to 69.4 g.
Adults have distinct solid black and solid white dorsal stripes like other chipmunks, with the sides of the body tawny and tan. The ventral surface of the tail is much paler. The top of the head and rump are gray.
Tamias palmeri exhibits a narrow and flattened brain case, long upper incisors, larger cheek teeth and nearly parallel zygomatic arches. The length of the baculum is approximately 4 mm. Baculum size can be used to distinguish between T. palmeri from T. panamintinus, which has a baculum approximately 3 mm long.
These animals appear to hibernate facultatively. Although they may dwell in their underground burrows when weather is cold, on warm winter days they are often seen running around on top of the snow. They may enter torpid states when it is cold, but wake often to snack on cached food. We assume here that they are homoiothermic and heterothermic, in that they maintain a constant body temperature which is dependent upon whether they are active or torpid.
Range mass: 50 to 69.4 g.
Range length: 210 to 223 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; heterothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: female larger
Palmer’s chipmunks may be eaten by carnivores such as coyotes, fox, weasels, and raccoons. Feral dogs and cats may also prey upon them. Other predators include birds of prey and snakes.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
The mating system of these animals has not been reported. However, other chipmunks tend to be polygynous. Tamias palmeri may be similar.
Palmer’s chipmunks are reproductively active from April through July. Mating occurs during March, when males exhibit scrotal testes. Gestation is between 30 and 33 days. The average number of embryos per litter ranges between 3 and 6.
Hairless young are born underground during mid-summer and are weaned by August. They usually appear above ground at the end of July, or around the age of 5 weeks, and are able to eat nuts, seeds, and berries within a week of their emergence from the natal burrow.
Like other chipmunks, these animals are capable of breeding in the season following their birth. Young are independent by the end of summer.
Breeding interval: These animals breed once per year.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs in March.
Range number of offspring: 3 to 6.
Range gestation period: 30 to 33 days.
Average weaning age: 5 weeks.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 10 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 10 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous
Because chipmunks rear their young in burrows, little is known about their parental care. However, in most species in the genus, males play no role in parental care. Females nurse, groom, and protect the young in the natal burrow. Although hairless and helpless at birth, these animals develop rapidly and are generally independent by the end of the summer.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
Palmer's chipmunk (Neotamias palmeri) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae, endemic to Nevada. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
Palmer's chipmunk resembles other chipmunks in that it has solid black and white stripes that run down its body dorsally. The body of the chipmunk is tan while its ventral side is more pale. Total body length is 210–223 millimetres (8.3–8.8 in), with a tail of 86.5–101.5 millimetres (3.41–4.00 in). Adults weigh between 50 and 69.4 grams.[2]
Palmer's chipmunk is found only in the Spring Mountains of Clark County, southern Nevada. It mostly occurs at altitudes of 7,000–10,000 feet (2,100–3,000 m), inhabiting cliffs and forested areas between the upper pinyon pine and juniper regions, up and into the fir-pine and bristlecone pine communities.[3] There are some indications that the species prefers to associate with water sources.[1]
The caches of Palmer's chipmunk have been found to contain seeds from the ponderosa pine, which are an important food resource of the chipmunk. This species has also been known to eat local fruits, grass, insects, and the seeds of other conifers.[3] The species hibernates during cold weather, but is not an obligate hibernator. On warm winter days, Palmer's chipmunk will come out of its burrow to visit their caches for food.[4]
Nests are most commonly built on the ground but can occasionally be found in trees. In late spring to early summer, female chipmunks have litters of 3 or 4 pups which are born hairless. After a month or so, the pups have developed a smooth fur coat and begin to move in and out of the nest. At about 6 weeks old, the pups have moved to a mostly solid food diet.[5]
The species has been classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Its habitat is being reduced by the extension of campgrounds, woodcutting, and the increasing sprawl of Las Vegas. Predation by feral dogs and cats is also likely to be a factor.[1]
Palmer's chipmunk (Neotamias palmeri) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae, endemic to Nevada. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
