Palmer's chipmunk (Neotamias palmeri) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae, endemic to Spring Mountains in southern Nevada. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is primarily threatened by habitat loss.[1] It is named after Theodore Sherman Palmer, an American botanist and zoologist.[2] With adequate habitat and food resources Palmers chipmunks typically live up to 4 years.[3]
| Palmer's chipmunk | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sciuridae |
| Genus: | Neotamias |
| Species: | N. palmeri
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| Binomial name | |
| Neotamias palmeri (Merriam, 1897)
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| Synonyms | |
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Description edit
Palmer's chipmunk resembles other chipmunks in that it has solid black and white stripes that run down its body dorsally. The body of the chipmunk is tan while its ventral side is more pale. Total body length is 210–223 millimetres (8.3–8.8 in), with a tail of 86.5–101.5 millimetres (3.41–4.00 in). Adults weigh between 50 and 69.4 grams.[4]
Distribution and habitat edit
Palmer's chipmunk is found only in the Spring Mountains of Clark County, southern Nevada. They mostly occur at high elevation altitudes of 7,000–10,000 feet (2,100–3,000 m), inhabiting cliffs and forested areas between the upper pinyon pine and juniper regions, up and into the fir-pine and bristlecone pine communities.[5] Palmers chipmunks typically prefer ground habitats as opposed to living off the forest floor in trees. They can build ground burrows spanning around 30 feet in length.[3] There are some indications that the species prefers to associate with water sources.[1]Palmers chipmunk thrive in temperature zones of 32-34°C. Areas with higher temperatures are not suitable for this species and may contribute to its high altitude exclusivity of habitat. Elevated climate limits foraging time and force these chipmunks to seek shelter for longer periods of time. Breeding and foraging may be limited by extreme temperature and contribute to the endangered status of this species.[6]
Ecology edit
The caches of Palmer's chipmunk have been found to contain seeds from the ponderosa pine, which are an important food resource of the chipmunk. This species is determined to be omnivores, they are known to eat local fruits, grass, insects, fungus, and the seeds of other conifers.[5]Palmers chipmunks play a key role in the distribution of seeds for trees and other plants. The species hibernates during cold weather, but is not an obligate hibernator. On warm winter days, Palmer's chipmunk will come out of its burrow to visit their caches for food.[7]Palmer's chipmunk is a primary prey species for a number of animals in its habitat. Typical predators of the chipmunk are red-tailed hawks, snakes, coyotes, raccoons, long-tailed weasels, as well as feral cats and dogs.[6]
Reproduction edit
Nests are most commonly built on the ground, typically underground in burrows, but can occasionally be found in trees. In late spring to early summer, female chipmunks have litters of 3 or 4 pups which are born hairless. After a month or so, the pups have developed a smooth fur coat and begin to move in and out of the nest. At about 6 weeks old, the pups emerge from the nests and have moved to a mostly solid food diet.[8] Pups mature rapidly and can be independent by the end of the summer season. Palmers chipmunk pups become sexually mature at around 10 months old. They typically breed once a year and females alone are responsible for caring for their young.[3]
Conservation edit
The species has been classified as endangered by the IUCN. The majority of the Palmers chipmunk habitat is protected and managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service.[9] Its habitat is being reduced by the extension of campgrounds, woodcutting, and the increasing sprawl of Las Vegas. Habitat loss for the Palmers chipmunk can also be attributed to recreational wildfires and climate change. Predation by feral dogs and cats is also likely to be a factor.[1] Habitat fragmentation due to the breaking up and degradation of forest habitats has led to an increase risk for these animals.
References edit
- ^ a b c d Lowrey, C. (2016). "Neotamias palmeri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T21355A22267875. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T21355A22267875.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. 2715 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 305–306. ISBN 978-0-8018-9304-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c Ybarra, Yvonne; Zaragoza, Karina. "Tamias palmeri (Palmer's chipmunk)". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
- ^ Ruff, Wilson (1999). The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. The Smithsonian Institution Press in Association with the American Society of Mammalogists. pp. 372–373.
- ^ a b "Palmer's chipmunk". Nevada Department of Wildlife. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
- ^ a b Christopher Lowrey, Kathleen Longshore, Brett Riddle, Stacy Mantooth, Ecology, distribution, and predictive occurrence modeling of Palmer’s chipmunk (Tamias palmeri): a high-elevation small mammal endemic to the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada, USA, Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 97, Issue 4, 25 July 2016, Pages 1033–1043, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw026
- ^ Hirshfeld, J. (1975). Reprodution, Growth, and Development of Two Species of Chipmunk: Eutamias panamintinus and Eutamias palmeri (Thesis). Las Vegas: University of Nevada.
- ^ "North American Mammals: Tamias palmeri". Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2024-04-28.