Squirrels of the World

Tamias durangae 323

foraging together have been reported, with short quiet
“bark chirps” given by group members. Due to the modest
size of these chipmunks, they are prey for a variety of rap-
tors, mustelids, felids, canids, and snakes. When threat-
ened, T. dorsalis runs for the protective cover of rocks and
logs rather than climbing on vegetation. They give short
“chirps” when excited; their alarm calls are sharp short
but loud bursts uttered while they are standing upright
on their hind limbs. Cliff chipmunks are not trapped or
hunted; occasionally they are a nuisance near homes or in
picnic areas.

general references: Dobson, Pritchett, et al. 1987; Hart
1992; Rompola and Anderson 2004.

Tamias durangae (J. A. Allen, 1903)

Durango Chipmunk

description: T. durangae is distinguished by the nine alter-
nating light and dark stripes on the dorsum. It is similar in
appearance to T. bulleri, but it is distinguished from that spe-
cies by its cinnamon dorsal pelage and the reddish brown
color on the ventral surface of the tail.

size: Female—HB 135.0 mm; T 98.4 mm; Mass 83.8 g.
Male—HB 135.0 mm.
Sex not stated—HB 227.7 mm; T 102.2 mm.

distribution: This species has a fragmented distribution

in México, with one subspecies occurring in southwestern

Chihuahua southward through western Durango; the other

is found in southeastern Coahuila, possibly extending into

Nuevo León.

geographic variation: Two subspecies are recognized.

T. d. durangae—Sierra Madre, from the southwestern corner

of Chihuahua southward through the extreme western

third of Durango (México). See description above.

T. d. solivagus—isolated in southeastern Coahuila, along

the border of Nuevo León (México). No description is

available.

conservation: IUCN status—least concern. Population

trend—no information.

habitat: T. d. durangae appears to prefer mesic forests of

mixed pine (Pinus) and oak (Quercus) in the Sierra Madre Oc-

cidental. T. d. solivagus occurs in similar forests of pine, fi r

(Abies), and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), at elevations

above 2700 m in the Sierra Madre Oriental biotic province.

Other than its apparent preference for more mesic condi-

tions, nothing else is known about its habitat use.

natural history: The Durango chipmunk is particularly

secretive; little is known about its natural history. Its diet is

assumed to include mostly acorns and conifer seeds, but few

studies are available. Too little information on reproduction

is known to report estimates of behavior, breeding season,

litter sizes, and gestation period.

general references: Álvarez-Castañeda, Castro-Arellano,

Lacher, et al. 2008d; Best, Burt, et al. 1993; Callahan 1980.

Tamias durangae. Photo courtesy Troy L. Best.