Merriam's Chipmunk
Neotamias merriami
Unlike many other chipmunks, Merriam's chipmunks are excellent climbers and are frequently seen foraging high in oak trees rather than just on the ground.
- Scientific name
- Neotamias merriami
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Sciuridae › Neotamias
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Oak woodlands, chaparral, and brushy coniferous forests with dense cover.
- Diet
- Omnivorous; primarily acorns, manzanita seeds, berries, and occasionally insects or fungi.
- Range
- California, USA, Baja California, Mexico
- Size
- Total length 230-260 mm; weight 60-80 grams.
- Lifespan
- 2 to 5 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, urbanization, and predation by domestic cats.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and shy. Maintain a respectful distance of at least 5 feet to avoid causing stress. Do not attempt to feed, as human food is unhealthy and encourages risky behavior. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical advice to screen for rodent-borne illnesses.
Merriam's chipmunk ( Neotamias merriami ) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in central and southern California. in the United States and a small area in northern Baja California, Mexico.
Photo: James M. Maley, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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