Long-eared Chipmunk

activity

Activity patterns. The Long-eared Chipmunk is terrestrial and diurnal, being active from late March to late November and hibernating during the winter. Compared with other chipmunk species, it is more active and less territorial. It is aggressive during the reproductive period. It is a very vocal species, and the vocalizations are described as “ chucks ” and “ chips, ” sometimes associated with tail flicking.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Habitat. Mixed conifer forests, stands of pines and firs (Pinaceae) including ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and chaparral and brush fields. Structures that provide cover such as woody debris, stumps, and snags are important habitat features to the Long-eared Chipmunk.

Sciuridae

biology_ecology

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home range has been estimated as 0 - 88 ha for males and 0 - 48 ha for females. In Sierra Nevada, California, densities were recorded to be as low as 7 - 6 ind / ha in white fir forests to highs of 36 ind / ha in mixedfir forests and 48 - 2 ind / ha in red-fir forests.

Sciuridae

breeding

Breeding. Breeding season begins in late April and lasts through early May, with most mating occurring during the first two weeks of May. Females produce onelitter of 2 - 6 young, with an average of 4 - 4, after a gestation of 31 days. Young reach sexual maturity at 10 - 11 months.

Sciuridae