Mammals Active during the day

Palmer's Chipmunk

Neotamias palmeri

iNaturalist Wikipedia

Meet the Spring Mountains' most exclusive resident: the Palmer's Chipmunk. Found nowhere else on Earth, this 'sky island' specialist is a master of the high-altitude pine forests overlooking the Nevada desert.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Total length of 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in); weight between 50–70 g (1.8–2.5 oz)

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Colors

Tawny or cinnamon-brown upper body with five dark brown longitudinal stripes; underbelly is creamy white

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Key Features

Five dark dorsal stripes separated by four light stripes
Distinct white and dark stripes across the face
Bushy tail with a tawny underside
Found exclusively in the Spring Mountains of Nevada

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season May-September

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Diet Primarily granivorous, eating seeds from Ponderosa pines, firs, and mountain mahogany; also consumes berries, fungi, and occasionally insects.

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Habitat High-elevation coniferous forests and 'sky island' temperate mountain habitats.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Palmer's Chipmunk Live?

Native exclusively to the North American continent, this unique rodent has one of the most restricted ranges of any mammal in the United States. It is endemic to the Spring Mountains in southern Nevada, surviving as a 'sky island' specialist isolated from other mountain ranges by the surrounding Mojave Desert. Its entire global population is concentrated within a small, high-altitude belt of forest just west of the Las Vegas valley.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

160 km² Range

Endangered Conservation

US United States

Elevation range

0 m1,000 m2,000 m4,000 m

2,100 m – 3,500 m

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Palmer's Chipmunks are energetic, diurnal rodents that spend much of their day foraging for seeds and nuts to cache for the winter. While they are primarily ground-dwelling, they are exceptionally agile climbers and often retreat to the lower branches of Ponderosa pines or white firs when they sense a predator or wish to survey their territory. Unlike some small mammals that hibernate profoundly, these chipmunks remain somewhat active during the winter, waking up periodically to consume their stored food supplies.

In terms of social structure, they are generally solitary and can be quite territorial. They use a variety of high-pitched chirps and 'chucks' to communicate with others and warn of approaching threats like hawks or coyotes. While they can become accustomed to human presence in popular hiking areas like Mt. Charleston, they remain naturally wary and rely on their speed and camouflage to stay safe.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the rare Palmer's Chipmunk requires placing your camera in high-elevation coniferous forests, particularly near fallen logs, rock outcroppings, or 'runways' along the forest floor. Position your camera low to the ground—no more than 6 to 12 inches high—and angle it slightly upward. Because these are small, fast-moving targets, a fast trigger speed (0.2s or less) and a high-frame-rate video setting are essential to avoid getting just a 'tail shot' as they zip past the lens.

While we generally discourage feeding wildlife in sensitive alpine environments, you can attract them naturally by focusing your camera near fallen pine cones or at the base of large Ponderosa pines. If you are in a legal area for lures, a small amount of natural, salt-free nut butter smeared on a textured log can keep them stationary long enough for a high-quality identification photo. Avoid placing cameras in wide-open meadows where they feel vulnerable to raptors.

Seasonal timing is critical for this species. They are most active and visible from late spring through early autumn. Once the heavy snows of the Spring Mountains arrive, they spend most of their time in underground burrows or deep rock crevices. Ensure your camera is equipped with a high-performance SD card and fresh lithium batteries, as the cooler mountain temperatures at these altitudes can drain standard alkaline batteries very quickly.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Palmer's Chipmunk.

Panamint Chipmunk

Found at lower elevations and has a distinctly grayer coat compared to the tawny Palmer's Chipmunk.

Least Chipmunk

Smaller in size with more contrasting stripes; inhabits a massive range across North America rather than being restricted to one mountain range.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Palmer's Chipmunks are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They typically show peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon, as they prefer to avoid the most intense midday sun.

Because of their extremely limited range, you will only see Palmer's Chipmunk if your property is located within the high-elevation forest belt of the Spring Mountains. If you live there, maintaining native vegetation like Ponderosa pines and providing a shallow water source can encourage them to visit.

Their diet is centered on the seeds of coniferous trees, especially pine and fir. They supplement this with seeds from mountain mahogany, various wild berries, mushrooms, and the occasional insect during the summer months.

No, they are strictly forest specialists. While they are occasionally seen near mountain cabins or campsites in Lee Canyon and Kyle Canyon, they do not venture down into the suburban desert environments of Las Vegas.

The Palmer's Chipmunk is generally larger and has a richer tawny-brown coloration, whereas the Panamint Chipmunk appears more grayish. Additionally, Palmer's are restricted to higher elevations (above 7,000 feet) in the Spring Mountains.

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