Cliff Chipmunk (Neotamias dorsalis) lives in rocky mountain slopes across Southwestern North America. It feeds on seeds and nuts. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the Cliff Chipmunk
- They inhabit high mountain zones, regularly occupying elevations from five thousand to twelve thousand feet. Their range stretches across the western United States and Mexico, most often spotted from northern Arizona to Colorado where pinyon-juniper woodlands fringe the cliffs. These habitats sit at altitudes of 1,500-3,700 m, providing the rocky ledges they call home.
- Cliff chipmunks are very agile and can often be seen scaling steep cliff walls. Their bushy tails and compact bodies let them scramble up sheer rock faces in the pinyon-juniper woodlands where they build their nests. The dramatic cliffs of the Grand Canyon provide a favourite stage for these acrobatic forays, and the animals are frequently observed there by hikers. Their daytime activity means they are out in full view whenever the sun shines on the cliffs.
- Unlike many ground squirrels, cliff chipmunks never build up a thick layer of body fat. They stay lean year-round, weighing about 70 g and measuring 20-25 cm in length, which contributes to their remarkable climbing ability on vertical rock. Their small, lightweight frame lets them move quickly along cliff edges while foraging for juniper berries, pine seeds and acorns.
- Cliff chipmunks store food in hidden caches that they return to when winter temperatures drop, ensuring a reliable supply when foraging is difficult. Their stores are filled with the same items they eat year-round, such as juniper berries, pine seeds and acorns.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
At a glance
RangeSouthwestern North America
HabitatRocky mountain slopes
DietSeeds and nuts
About the Cliff Chipmunk
In the rugged, sun-baked landscapes of the American Southwest, the cliff chipmunk navigates a world of precipitous rock faces and scrubby desert vegetation with effortless agility, its tiny paws barely making a sound as it darts from crevice to crevice. With a flick of its bushy tail, this diminutive creature can vanish into the narrowest of openings, its striped back blending seamlessly into the mottled patterns of the surrounding stone. As it forages for seeds and nuts, its large, dark eyes shine with a keen intelligence, a testament to the remarkable adaptability of this small but resilient denizen of the desert cliffs.
Hear the Cliff Chipmunk, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
