Red-tailed Chipmunk
Neotamias ruficaudus
This is a relatively large chipmunk with a reddish rump and tail. The dorsal coloration is grayish-brown with distinct dark and light stripes. The underside is whitish.
How to identify
This is a relatively large chipmunk with a reddish rump and tail. The dorsal coloration is grayish-brown with distinct dark and light stripes. The underside is whitish.
Range
N. ruficaudus is found in the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada, including parts of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and British Columbia.
Habitat
N. ruficaudus occupies coniferous forests, particularly those with dense undergrowth.
Similar species
The reddish rump and tail of N. ruficaudus help distinguish it from other chipmunk species in its range.
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
ruficaudus
Latin for reddish (rufus) tail (caudus)
Origin
Sources
- Wikipedia: Neotamias ruficaudus ↗
“Neotamias ruficaudus.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-tailed_chipmunk
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
N. ruficaudus is found in the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States and Canada, including parts of Montana, Idaho, Wa…
Habitat
N. ruficaudus occupies coniferous forests, particularly those with dense undergrowth.
Guide
Mammals of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap