Wildlife Around Las Vegas, Unita Chipmunk (Tamias umbrinus)

Unita Chipmunk (Tamias umbrinus)
Mammals Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas

	Description: Unita Chipmunk (Tamias umbrinus) are medium-sized, reddish-brown squirrels with black and white stripes on the face and on the back. The head and body are about 5-inches long, and the tail is about 4-inches long. The top of the head, neck, and upper back are gray. The shoulders and sides are brownish. The dorsal stripes are dark and distinct. The tip of the tail is black, and the tail is edges with white. This species lives in central and eastern Nevada in deserts and mountains with pine trees, especially ponderosa pine. Around Las Vegas, it can be found in the ponderosa pine forests in in the Sheep Range on the Desert National Wildlife Range.
	In the Las Vegas area, only chipmunks have stripes on the face, and chipmunks are equally at home on the ground and in the trees. Other species of small squirrel lack stripes on the face, and most stay on or close to the ground.
	The back of the ears are black and white, with the white along the outside edge. Also, the gray on the back of the head and neck shows well in this pose.
	Two chipmunks engage in a greeting ceremony.
	If you were a tasty nut or a big seed, this might be the last face you ever see!