Everything You Need to Know About Chipmunks in Montana

Montana might be known for its grizzly bears and bison, but let's not forget about chipmunks. These tiny, stripe-wearing speedsters are the unsung heroes of Montana’s wilderness, and let’s be honest, they're ridiculously adorable.

Montana is home to several species of chipmunks, and they are all members of the squirrel family. However, chipmunks are smaller, faster, and louder. You've probably seen them scurrying through the forest while on a hike, or trying to get into your bird feeder in the backyard.

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Everything You Need to Know About Chipmunks in Montana

Aside from their cuteness, chipmunks are very unique and interesting creatures.

According to the Montana Field Guide, Montana is home to five different species of chipmunk, including the Least Chipmunk, Yellow-Pine Chipmunk, Red-Tailed Chipmunk, Uinta Chipmunk, and the Townsend's Chipmunk.

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The Least Chipmunk is the most common in the state, and can be found from the plains to the mountains, including forests, grasslands, and alpine tundra. It is also the smallest of all chipmunks.

It is common to see chipmunks in forests across Montana. They live in burrows, rock piles, and logs, but can adapt to human environments like cabins and campsites.

Chipmunks are omnivores, and their diet mainly consists of seeds, berries, nuts, and sometimes insects. They have large cheek pouches where they store food until they take it back to their burrow. Instead of hibernating during the winter, chipmunks enter periods of torpor and wake up on occasion to eat.

On average, chipmunks are 8-10 inches long and weigh between 2 to 5 ounces. Chipmunks are agile and quick, so getting a good picture might be difficult.

The American Pika is another unique animal that can be found at high elevations in Montana. Both pikas and chipmunks are undeniably adorable, but if we're rating their cuteness, the pika might take the crown.