Lodgepole Chipmunk

Lodgepole Chipmunk

Tamias speciosus

Silhouette: Chloé Schmidt · PhyloPic

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible
at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

In 3 days ~70% in a week ~90%

93 Verified sightings at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks From 2019 to 2026
143 In all 2 parks
November Best month
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the Lodgepole Chipmunk

The Lodgepole chipmunk (Neotamias speciosus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in the U.S. state of California at elevations from 1,500 to 3,000 metres (4,900 to 9,800 ft). The Lodgepole chipmunk has a variety of common names including: Tahoe chipmunk, Sequoia chipmunk, Mt. Pinos chipmunk, and San Bernardino chipmunk.

Females are larger than males. Female Lodgepole chipmunks have an average body weight of 55-69 grams whereas males on average are 50-60 grams. Along with weight, body length in females ranges 197–229 mm (7.8–9.0 in), while males are 200–222 mm (7.9–8.7 in). Body patterns remain consistent in both sexes as they exhibit characteristic white dorsal and facial stripes, where the central dorsal stripes are less prominent and closer to yellow-white than the lateral white stripes. In comparison to other close relatives, this species has darker and broader facial stripes. Other notable body patterns include dark black dorsal stripes, a lack of a black stripe underneath the prominent white lateral stripe, bright orange color on sides and orange-gray coloring on the shoulders, a gray under-belly, and a gray rump. The top of the head, the... Wikipedia →

Sounds

Recording0:09

United States · 2020

© madfox · iNaturalist · CC BY-NC 4.0

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 🇺🇸 United States
~30%
2 Yosemite National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~20%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Lodgepole Chipmunk in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?

Possible

About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Lodgepole Chipmunk sighting in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks on a given day, based on 93 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 9th most-seen of the 20 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 70%, and over a week to about 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Lodgepole Chipmunk in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?

November

In that month about 60% of wildlife watchers report a Lodgepole Chipmunk in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks on a given day, against under 5% in December to March, the lowest months.

What time of day is best to see a Lodgepole Chipmunk?

Between 10 am and 1 pm

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Lodgepole 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.

Is Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks the best place to see a Lodgepole Chipmunk?

Yes

Of the 2 parks where we can rate Lodgepole Chipmunk sightings, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks has the highest daily chance: about 30%. Next come Yosemite National Park (United States, about 20%).

Where does the Lodgepole Chipmunk sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Lodgepole Chipmunk is recorded against all the mammals logged in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (93 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), 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.

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