Tamias quadrimaculatus
long-eared chipmunk

Long-eared chipmunks, Tamias quadrimaculatus, are abundant and widespread throughout the northern Sierra Nevada of California from Plumas County south to Madera County and in Nevada in the Lake Tahoe area. (Clawson, Clawson, and Best, 1994)

Tamias quadrimaculatus is typically found in mixed chaparral, ponderosa pine, mixed conifers, brush fields, and Douglas fir. Its habitat preference includes brush patches, fallen logs, stumps, rocks, and ground litter. Nests are located in trees and in underground burrows. It is often found in dense shrubs with low to moderate canopy and along forest edges at low to mid elevations of 960 to 2,250 m. (Clawson, Clawson, and Best, 1994)

Long-eared chipmunks were first described by Gray (1867). Ears are long and slender. Pelage is reddish in color with a white-edged tail. The back is marked by five dark and four pale stripes, and there is a noticeable white patch behind each ear.

Males are smaller than females with a total length of 233 mm on average for males and 239 mm for females. The length of head and body for males and females is 138 mm and 141 mm, respectively. Females weigh between 81 and 105 g, whereas males weigh between 74 and 89 g.

A major distinction of this species is the increased width of the zygomatic process compared to other members of the Tamias. The baculum differs from other chipmunks in this group by having a longer shaft, a proportionally shorter tip, and a wider angle between the tip and shaft. (Broadbooks, 1999; Gray, 1867; Johnson, 1943; Levenson, 1990; White, 1953)

Like other hibernating chipmunks, T. quadrimaculatus is both homoiothermic and heterothermic. Although the body temperature is maintained at a set point, the set temperature is higher when the animal is active than when it is torpid. Chipmunks are endothermic. (Nowak, 1999)

Longevity has not been reported for T. quadrimaculatus. However, most chipmunks do not live more than a few years, and it is likely that this holds for this species as well. Tamias ruficaudus is reported to have lived 8 years in the wild, although less than 10 percent of individuals in this species lived longer than 5 years. (Nowak, 1999)

Tamias quadrimaculatus is diurnal and hibernates from the end of October until March. It may be active at any time if conditions are favorable. Members of this species store fat and use food from underground caches as principal energy source during the winter months. Males tend to emerge from hibernation earlier than females. After reproduction, their coats molt into bright summer pelage, then in autumn molt again into winter pelage.

Dens may be made either in the ground or in trees. Hibernation probably occurs in burrows, but females have been found with their offspring in tree nests. Since births generally occur underground, it is likely that the female moves her family into the trees sometime after birth.

Tamias quadrimaculatus is most active on the forest floor. When alarmed, this species hides in dense brush or hollow logs rather than in trees.

During breeding season, most males have cuts on their faces and bodies, indicating that there may be competition between males for mates. Females usually maintain a separate home range territory, most likely by force. (Broadbooks, 1999; Johnson, 1943; Nowak, 1999; Storer, 1944; Tevis, 1955)

Home Range

The size of home ranges in this species has not been reported. However, in other members of the genus Tamias, home ranes are generally no greater than 1 hectare. This species is probably similar. (Nowak, 1999)

Data on the communication patterns of this species were not available. However, most chipmunks use a variety of signals in their communication, and it is likely that T. quadrimaculatus is similar to other members of the genus.

Other chipmunks have vocalizations of various types. They use body postures and tail movements in their communication. Tactile communication may occur between rivals, mates, and mothers and their offspring. The role of chemicals in communication has not been described. (Nowak, 1999)

Tamias quadrimaculatus is an omnivore that feeds mainly on fungi, seeds, berries and other fruits, conifer cones, and insects. Individuals feeding on fungi were shown to be fatter than those that did not have access to fungi. Long-eared chipmunks forage on the ground, in shrubs, logs, stumps, snags, and trees, and store seeds that they gather in underground caches for eating during winter hibernation. (Harris, 2005; Nowak, 1999)

Predators include weasels , raptors, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. (Harris, 2005)

Tamias quadrimaculatus plays an important role in seedling establishment. Seeds stored in caches are often forgotten and will later sprout, thus aiding reforestation. Interestingly, T. quadrimaculatus may also play a role in preventing the reseeding of forests. After fires, these chipmunks may prevent reetablishment of trees through their foraging behaviors.

Tamias quadrimaculatus plays a role in maintaining symbiotic mycorrhizal associations with trees. By consuming fungi, they help in the dispersal of spores of the subterranean sporocarps. (Clawson, Clawson, and Best, 1994)

There are no reported negative effects of these animals on humans.

These chipmunks have a very limited distribution, and are unlikely to have extensive contact with humans. However, there may be some indirect benefit from these animals through their role in helping disperse seeds and thereby reestablish forests.

These animals are not listed as endangered. However, because they have such a limited range, it is important to protect their habitat to ensure that this species continues into the future.

Tamias quadrimaculatus existed in its current form by the early Miocene. (Black, 1972)