Tamias merriami J.A.Allen, 1889

Taxonomy and Common Name

Tamias merriami J.A.Allen, 1889, commonly known as Merriam's chipmunk, has grayish-brown fur marked with dark and light dorsal stripes.

Facial and Ventral Coloration

It has light gray or white stripes surrounding its eyes and a white underbelly.

Tail Morphology

Its tail is very bushy, and its length is often over 80% of the combined length of the animal's head and body.

Molting Pattern

Both body and tail fur are shed through regular molting.

Dental Traits

This species has a dental formula of 1.0.2.3 / 1.0.1.3 × 2, giving a total of 22 teeth.

Geographic Distribution

Merriam's chipmunk is distributed across parts of central California, southern California, and Baja California, including along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Elevation Range

Individuals have been recorded at altitudes as high as 2,940 meters, but the species most commonly occurs at elevations below 1,200 meters.

Habitat Preferences

It primarily lives in forest and chaparral shrubland habitats, occupying areas that have a mix of trees, shrubs, logs, rocks, and plant litter, which the chipmunks use for food and shelter.

Female Mating Call

During mating, females attract males by emitting calls that last between ten and fifteen minutes.

Male Initial Mating Response

When a male hears the call, he responds by running to the female and jumping around her.

Copulation Actions

After the male approaches, the female squats down, and the male performs 12 to 24 thrusts.

Mating Duration

The entire mating process takes approximately fifteen seconds.