Tamias cinereicollis
gray-collared chipmunk

Tamias cinereicollis is found all throughout central and eastern Arizona and central and southwest New Mexico in the United States (Findley, 1986; Nowak, 1991).

These chipmunks are found primarily in coniferous forests at elevations between 1,950 abd 3,440 meters. They prefer mature woodlands and woodlot edges, but they also inhabit areas in and around suburban and rural homes such as around ornamental plantings, rockpiles, outbuildings and below patios and building foundations. Although they are mostly burrowing rodents, they regularly climb oak trees to gain access to rooftops (Best, 1999; Corrigan, 1997; Grzimek, 1990; Sheppard, 1990).

Tamias cinereicollis are easily recognized by the light and dark stripes on their back and head. They bear distinct facial markings and have only five dark stripes on their back. There is a distinct central line that extends forward onto the head. The gray-collared chipmunks are covered in shades of gray and share distinctive patterns of black, pale gray, and buff stripes. Tamias cinereicollis is one of the smaller chipmunks. It has a total length between 208 and 242 mm, with males measuring slightly smaller than females. Weights range between 55 and 70 g. It has a relatively long tail, comprising from 90 to 109 mm of the total length of the animal (Best, 1999; Grzimek, 1990; Sheppard, 1990).

Tamias cinereicollis is most active during the early morning and late afternoon. These chipmunks are generally solitary and protect their territories except during courtship, or when the young are developing. Populations of chipmunks average between 2 and 4 animals per acre. The home ranges often overlap among individuals, and the home ranges of adults are larger than those of juveniles. The home ranges of females tend to be smaller than those of males.

With the onset of cold weather, chipmunks enter a restless hibernation during late fall or early winter and are relatively inactive during the winter months. Some individuals, however, occasionally come out on warm, sunny days during the winter. By early March, most gray-collared chipmunks have emerged from hibernation.

Male T. cinereicollis are the first to emerge in the spring. The females emerge one or two weeks later. Once females emerge, breeding takes place near a female's burrow. Competition occurs between males for females, and a male may mate with more than one female during a mating season.

The burrows of T. cinereicollis are well-hidden near buildings (such as basements and garages), gardens, stumps, woodpiles or brushpiles. The burrow entrance is usually about 2 inches in diameter. There are no obvious mounds around the burrow entrance because these chipmunks carry the dirt in their cheek pouches and scatters it on the ground away from the burrow to make the burrow entrance less conspicuous.

A chipmunk's main tunnel is between 20 and 30 feet in length, but complex burrowing systems occur where cover is sparse. Burrow systems normally include a nesting chamber, one or two food storage chambers, various side pockets connecting to the main tunnel, and separate escape tunnels.

(Corrigan, 1997; Sheppard, 1990).

Home Range

The average territory of a chipmunk is about 1/4 to 1/2 acre, but an adult usually only defends an area about fifty feet around the burrow entrance (Corrigan, 1997; Sheppard, 1990).

Tamias cinereicollis spends much of its day collecting and storing seeds, which are its most important source of food. These chipmunks often forage on the ground and they easily climb trees and shrubs to harvest nuts and fruits.

The diet of T. cinereicollis consists of various kinds of nuts, berries, and seeds. Mushrooms, cherry and plum pits, insects, worms and carrion are also consumed. Rare instances of T. cinereicollis preying on birds or small mammals have been observed.

When these chipmunk prepare food for storage, they holds the seeds in their dexterous front paws and with their specialized incisors. Their incisors are especially long and directed forward. Tamias cinereicollis removes seeds from pods with its incisors, then uses its tongue to shift the seeds backward. It stuffs the seeds between its teeth and inside of its cheekpouches. The capacity of these cheekpouches increases with maturity. When they cheek pouches are full, a chipmunk deposits the seeds in its nest or buries them in shallow holes.

After hibernation, gray-collared chipmunks diligently search the ground for any seeds that remain from the previous summer. Since these are usually uncommon, T. cinereicollis may eat young leaves and shoots until new fruit and seeds become available (Corrigan, 1997; Schultz, 1995; Sheppard, 1990).

Predators include as hawks, weasels, coyotes, martens, foxes, and snakes. Fighting during the breeding season is also a source of injury and death for many gray-collared chipmunks.

The most significant decrease in T. cinereicollis populations occurs during periods of food shortage such as when there is seed crop failure and the chipmunk doesn't have enough food stored for its hibernation. Tamias cinereicollis depends on this food during the winter when it doesn't have access to seeds that are covered by snow, etc. (Shepppard, 1990).

Since chipmunks prey upon insects, their food habits influence the growth of various plants. Gray-collared chipmunks are also important in the dispersal of seeds because of their habit of storing them beneath the layer of decaying vegetation on the forest floor. In this way, T. cinereicollis assist in the spread of shrubs, trees, and other plants. As a prey species, populations of T. cinereicollis may have some impact upon predator populations. (Corrigan, 1997; Sheppard, 1990).

Chipmunks can be serious destructive pests when they become numerous around homes and gardens. The burrowing activity of chipmunks can cause significant structural damage by undermining foundations, concrete patios and steps, retaining walls and sidewalks. They may also be destructive to gardens when they dig up and eat bulbs and seeds or attack garden fruits. When they become over-abundant, gray-collared chipmunks can prevent normal reforestation of some trees, especially pines, by eating their seeds. When this occurs, they have to be trapped by humans.

Rodents, such as T. cinereicollis, have also been associated as being carriers of the hantavirus in the southwestern United States. Human infection may occur when infective saliva or excreta are inhaled as aerosols produced directly from the animal. Persons have also become infected after being bitten by rodents (Corrigan, 1997; Healthtouch, 1997; Sheppard, 1990).

These animals are not reported to have a positive impact on human economies.

Gray-collared chipmunks are not in any danger of going extinct any time soon. In fact, this species experiences only tiny fluctuations in its population from year to year. These fluctuations have been attributed to predators such as hawks, weasels, coyotes, martens, foxes, and snakes. Fighting during the breeding season is also a source of injury and death for many gray-collared chipmunks.

The most significant decrease in T. cinereicollis populations occurs during periods of food shortage such as when there is seed crop failure and chipmunks doesn't have enough food stored for hibernation. T. cinereicollis depends on stored food during the winter when it doesn't have access to seeds that are covered by snow, etc. (Shepppard, 1990).

Gray-collared chipmuinks, along with many other chipmunks, have charming personalities. They charm campers and hikers with their small size, their boldness in search of food, and their constant activity. In fact, they are not hard to approach at all. They are easily persuaded to accept seeds or nuts from a person's hands (Sheppard, 1990).