Tamias minimus
Silhouette: Chloé Schmidt · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%
The least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus) is the smallest species of chipmunk and the most widespread in North America. It is the smallest species of chipmunk, measuring about 15.7–25 cm (6.2–9.8 in) in total length with a weight of 25–66 g (0.88–2.33 oz). The body is gray to reddish-brown on the sides, and grayish white on the underparts. The back is marked with five dark brown to black stripes separated by four white or cream-colored stripes, all of which run from the nape of the neck to the base of the tail. Two light and two dark stripes mark the face, running from the tip of the nose to the ears. The bushy tail is orange-brown in color, and measures 10–11 cm (3.9–4.3 in) long. In some areas, where range overlap with the yellow-pine chipmunk occurs, it may be difficult or impossible to distinguish the two species in the field; laboratory examination of skeletal structures may be required.
As in other chipmunks, there are four toes on each of the forefeet and five on the hindfeet. Females have eight teats. The brain to body mass ratio for least chipmunks is lower than that for other species of chipmunk living in the same area, suggesting that they prefer less complex... Wikipedia →
Recording0:13
Canada · 2025
© olivia gilbert · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
Recording0:31
United States · 2023
© kericolabroy · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
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Canada · 2023
© jillyhurst42 · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Badlands National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Kluane National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 3 | Jasper National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 4 | Rocky Mountain National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Banff National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 6 | Grand Teton National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Yellowstone National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | Glacier National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 9 | Riding Mountain National Park | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 10 | Grand Canyon National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Least Chipmunk sighting in Calgary on a given day, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 22nd most-seen of the 25 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.
September
In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Least Chipmunk in Calgary on a given day, against under 5% in October to August, the lowest months.
Between 8 and 11 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Least Chipmunk sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
2nd of 2
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Least Chipmunk sightings, Calgary ranks 2nd at under 5%. The best odds are in Edmonton (Canada, about 30%).
Same family: Sciuridae
The closest relatives of the Least Chipmunk that you can see in Calgary (family Sciuridae, Squirrels) are Eastern Gray Squirrel (about 40%), Richardson's Ground Squirrel (about 30%) and American Red Squirrel (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Least Chipmunk is recorded against all the mammals logged in Calgary (7 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
