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Chipmunk Types

Thirteen species of chipmunks inhabit areas throughout the United States. Adult chipmunks range in size from 6 to 11inches long. Because the physical differences are slight, the easiest ways to identify them are the regions that they inhabit. Different types of chipmunks may exist together in one area. Some chipmunks are specific to a single habitat while others exist in many areas. Most of the species of chipmunks exist in the western half of the U.S., though one type of chipmunk exists in most U.S. states, and another only inhabits eastern states.

Location Specific Chipmunks
- The habitat of the Alpine chipmunk includes Yosemite.
  
  The Alpine chipmunk inhabits only the Sierra Mountains in California and is the lightest colored chipmunk in America. Its habitat includes areas such as the Sequoia National Park, King's Canyon and Yosemite. The Colorado chipmunk's home is only in southern Colorado and along the foothills of the eastern slopes of the Colorado mountains. Their range extends almost all the way up to Wyoming. These two species do not inhabit any other areas throughout the U.S.
Least Chipmunk
- The least chipmunk is the most common chipmunk found in both flat lands and mountainous areas throughout the U.S. Its range also extends to central and western areas of Canada. It adapts well in different habitats though it prefers areas that are more open rather than dense forests. It relies on many types of berries, grasshoppers, caterpillars and beetles for its diet. It is the smallest chipmunk and one of only two chipmunks found in eastern states.
Eastern Chipmunk
- The Eastern chipmunk only inhabits eastern states.
  
  The Eastern chipmunk acquired its name because it inhabits only eastern states. It lives on seeds, berries, nuts and other plant fruits. Unlike most chipmunks whose tails curl up over the back, the eastern chipmunk runs with its tail straight out behind it. It ranges from northeastern America, south to Virginia and Mississippi and as far west as North Dakota and Oklahoma. This chipmunk is also common in southeastern Canada.
Western Chipmunks
- The lodgepole chipmunk inhabits central California and Nevada in areas with a lot of moisture, while the Panamint chipmunk inhabits the desert areas of these two states. The Merriam's chipmunk inhabits southern California and New Mexico. The Hopi prefers eastern Utah, western Colorado and northern Arizona. The cliff and Uinta chipmunks like the mountains of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. The Townsend and yellow-pine inhabit the Cascade and Sierra Mountains, though the yellow-pine also enjoys mountains in Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho. The red-tailed chipmunk prefers dense forests in Washington, Idaho and western Montana.

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