California Chipmunk
Neotamias obscurus
This is a small chipmunk with a dark grayish-brown dorsal coloration and moderately distinct dark and light stripes. The underside is typically grayish-white.
How to identify
This is a small chipmunk with a dark grayish-brown dorsal coloration and moderately distinct dark and light stripes. The underside is typically grayish-white.
Range
N. obscurus is found in southern California and Baja California, Mexico.
Habitat
N. obscurus inhabits chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands.
Similar species
N. obscurus is similar to other chipmunks in southern California, such as Neotamias speciosus, but has a darker overall coloration.
Name and etymology
Genus
Neotamias
Greek for new (neo) storekeeper (tamias)
Origin
Sources
- Palmer, Index Generum Mammalium (1904) ↗
Palmer, T. S. 1904. Index Generum Mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. North American Fauna 23. Government Printing Office, Washington. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.39809
Species epithet
obscurus
Latin for shadowy or dark
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Neotamias obscurus ↗
“Neotamias obscurus.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_chipmunk
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
N. obscurus is found in southern California and Baja California, Mexico.
Habitat
N. obscurus inhabits chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands.
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap