Tamias alpinus
Silhouette: Chloé Schmidt · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~50%
The alpine chipmunk (Neotamias alpinus) is a species of chipmunk native to the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada of California. No significant threats to the species are known. Alpine chipmunks share the typical pattern of genus Neotamias, being gray-brown overall and featuring three white stripes on the cheeks and four down the back. The flanks are muted orange. They weigh 27-45 grams and grow from 166 to 203 mm. Overall the alpine chipmunk is much paler and smaller compared to others in its genus. Their typical lifespan in the wild is up to 2-3 years.
Alpine chipmunks only live in high Sierra Nevada, from Yosemite National Park in the north, to Olancha Peak in the south. They have been observed at altitudes from around 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) to 3,900 meters (12,800 ft), though they rarely occur below 2,500 meters (8,200 ft). They primarily inhabit the talus slopes and sub-alpine forests, where there is a large accumulation of loose, rocky debris. During the summer, where the high-elevation environment becomes increasingly arid and warm, the alpine chipmunk utilize these rocks by retreating into the cool, deep crevices of boulders... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yosemite National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | 🇺🇸 United States |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report an Alpine Chipmunk sighting in Yosemite National Park on a given day, based on 34 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 13th most-seen of the 21 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 50%, if each day is a fresh chance.
September
In that month about 20% of wildlife watchers report an Alpine Chipmunk in Yosemite National Park on a given day, against under 5% in November to April, the lowest months. That is one of Yosemite National Park's driest months, with about 25 mm of rain against 220 mm in January.
Between 10 am and 1 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Alpine Chipmunk sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Alpine Chipmunk sightings, Yosemite National Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (United States, about 10%).
Same genus: Tamias
The closest relatives of the Alpine Chipmunk that you can see in Yosemite National Park (genus Tamias, Eastern Chipmunks) are Lodgepole Chipmunk (about 20%) and Long-eared Chipmunk (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Alpine Chipmunk is recorded against all the mammals logged in Yosemite National Park (34 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.
