Mammal · GBIF taxon 2437449
Townsend's Chipmunk
Tamias townsendiiAlso known as Pacific Chipmunk
Townsend's chipmunks thrive in the dense understory of Pacific Northwest coniferous forests, darting across mossy logs and beneath fallen debris. These nimble rodents store vast quantities of seeds, berries, and fungi in underground burrows to survive wet winters. Their distinctive tawny and dark brown stripes blend seamlessly into the shadowy temperate rainforest floor.
DiurnalForest DwellerSeed Disperser
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Douglas-fir seeds
- Truffles and fungi
- Salal berries
Predators
- Northern Goshawks
- Weasels
- Bobcats
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation from logging and clear-cutting
HabitatsDense coniferous forests, coastal temperate rainforests, riparian thickets
Life span2–7 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilySciuridae
- SpeciesTamias townsendii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a distance; wild rodents may bite if cornered or handled.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Watch quiet log piles and thickets during early morning or dusk.
- Feeding: Avoid hand-feeding to protect wild habits and prevent accidental bites.
- Food storage: Secure food in sealed containers when camping in chipmunk habitat.
Competitor VJAnderson / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Kim, Hyun-tae, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kim, Hyun-tae · cc-by
Close Relative USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, photographer unknown / Public domain · cc0
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