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MOUNT PINOS
LODGEPOLE CHIPMUNK
Tamias
speciosus callipeplus
The Mount Pinos lodgepole
chipmunk is a subspecies of chipmunk found only on the upper
slopes and summits of Mount Pinos, Mount Abel, and Frazier
Mountain in the Los Padres National Forest near the Kern/Ventura
county line. Because of its isolated population, the Forest
Service has classified the Mount Pinos lodgepole chipmunk as a
Sensitive Species, and the California Department of Fish & Game
has classified it as a "species of special concern."
 There
are four subspecies of lodgepole chipmunk (Tamias speciosus)
in California, so named because they are common in forests
containing lodgepole pines. Two of the subspecies are found in
northern and central California, and the other two - including
the Mount Pinos lodgepole chipmunk - occur in southern portions
of the state. The Mount Pinos lodgepole chipmunk is an isolated
subspecies and does not overlap in range with any of the other
lodgepole chipmunk subspecies. They are highly aggressive
towards other chipmunks outside their species, but they only
overlap with the Merriam's chipmunk and are often found in
different habitat types, keeping the potential for battle low.
Habitat
 Mount
Pinos lodgepole chipmunks are primarily found around old logs,
rock outcroppings and other forest debris. Rock crevasses and
old logs are required for protection from predators (coyote,
foxes, bobcat, Cooper's hawk, and red-tailed hawk) and are used
as nesting sites. Trees are also an important habitat component
- the lodgepole chipmunks are perhaps the best climbers of any
of the chipmunks and they readily use trees as an escape route.
Occasionally an existing cavity may be used as a nesting site,
but more often nests are concealed under rocks or in rock
crevasses.
Hibernation & Breeding
The lodgepole chipmunk enters
hibernation in late October/early November, waking every 1-2
days near the beginning and end of hibernation, but remaining
dormant for longer periods (5-6 days) during the remainder of
their hibernation. Their breeding season occurs in May and June,
about one month after emerging from hibernation. They produce
one litter per year, and the number of young ranges from three
to six.
Mmm...Fungus, Delicious!
Lodgepole chipmunks are active
during the day, though a bit skittish and secretive. They are
generally arboreal, using trees for refuge and as observation
posts. There is little information on the diet of the Mount
Pinos subspecies, but lodgepole chipmunks in other parts of the
state are generally omnivorous, eating seeds of grasses, forbs,
and trees; fruits and berries; insects; picnic scraps; and
carrion. Lodgepole chipmunks also eat fungi, which comprises 32
percent of the annual dietary volume! During summer and autumn,
in preparation for hibernation, lodgepole chipmunks devote much
of their time to gathering food, collecting it in external cheek
pouches and later storing it beneath old logs, in rock piles,
and in forks and foliage of trees.
Threats
The population status of this
cute critter is presently unknown. The Forest Service has
recommended field studies to verify the population status and
better understand habitat preferences. Because the Mt. Pinos
lodgepole chipmunk is an isolated subspecies with a very limited
distribution, threats include but are not necessarily limited
to: vacation home development, improperly managed recreational
activities, logging of habitat, prescribed burns and large-scale
wildfire, according to the Forest Service.
ForestWatch will
carefully evaluate proposed projects in the area the Mt. Pinos
lodgepole chipmunk calls home, working to protect this important
species.
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