The Least Chipmunk

The least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus) is the smallest chipmunk in North America. It is also the most widespread species of chipmunk in North America occurring across north-central and western United States and from British Columbia and southern Yukon to western Quebec in Canada. The species is found in a variety of habitats including mixed deciduous and coniferous forests, boreal forest, and sagebrush plains.

These animals are active during the day and eat seeds, berries, nuts, fruits and insects. They store food in an underground burrow, where they spend the winter.

This particular specimen was spotted with a host of his buddies up at the top of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. As you can see from the rest of the photos, they’re pretty hard to catch! You can find photographs of these chipmunks, and other little critters at our gallery store.