338 Tamias senexmerriami, T. quadrimaculatus, T. sonomae, T. speciosus, and T.
umbrinus) found within its range. It is common in montane
conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada, at approximately 1200–
1800 m in elevation, and also in chaparral slopes. Hiberna-
tion takes place from late November to mid-March, and
breeding occurs for one month following emergence. Litter
sizes vary between three and fi ve, and the young are weaned
late, usually near the end of June.
natural history: Various dietary studies suggest that T.
senex is a truffl e specialist, feeding heavily on hypogeous
(underground) fungi, and almost exclusively so at certain
times of the year. Also included in its diet are conifer seeds,
fl owers, and arthropods. An active arboreal species, T. senex
often nests high in trees. Home range estimates are less
than 3.5 ha but depend on the type and abundance of food.
“Chip” vocalizations are intermediate in frequency between
those of other Tamia s species, such as T. ochrogenys and T.
siskiyou, and consist of three to fi ve syllables per “chip.” No
predators are reported. Four species of fl eas are the only
parasites noted, of which Monopsyllus ciliatus and M. eumolpi
are the most common.
general references: Gannon and Forbes 1995; Gannon
and Lawlor 1989; E. R. Hall 1981; Kain 1985; A. W. Linzey and
Hammerson 2008l; Sutton 1987; Sutton and Nadler 1974; Sut-
ton and Patterson 2000; J. A. Wilson et al. 2008.
Tamias sibiricus (Laxmann, 1769)
Siberian Chipmunk
description: This is a small chipmunk, with fi ve black
dorsal stripes. The pelage on the top of the head, the sides,
and the spaces between the dark dorsal stripes is yellowish
brown; the dorsal surface has a lateral dark-and-white stripe
on both sides. The tail is shorter than the body length.
size: Female—HB 150.5 mm; T 108.2 mm; Mass 96.2 g.
Male—HB 149.3 mm; T 106.5 mm; Mass 93.4 g.
Sex not stated—HB 147.5 mm; T 116.2 mm; Mass 99.5 g.
distribution: This species ranges across northern Euro-
pean and Siberian Russia to Sakhalin Island (Russia) and the
southern Kurile Islands (claimed by Japan); it also occurs
from extreme eastern Kazakhstan to northern Mongolia,
China, Korea, and the island of Hokkaido (Japan). Its range
appears to be expanding naturally in the north, and—by
introductions—to England, France, Belgium, the Nether-
lands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, China
(Hong Kong), and Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu is-
lands), primarily as a result of the pet trade.geographic variation: Nine subspecies are recognized.T. s. sibiricus—Altai Mountains (Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongo-
lia, and China) and Siberia (Russia). This is a darker and
less brightly colored form.
T. s. asiaticus—region north of the Sea of Okhotsk, extending
west into northcentral Siberia and east into the Kam-
chatka Peninsula (Russia). This form has a gray rump.
T. s. lineatus—Sakhalin Island (Russia) and the island of Hok-
kaido (Japan). No description is available.
T. s. okadae—South Kurile Islands (Japan). The head, the
lower back, and the rump are a deep rusty red. The tail is
nearly black with hoary hair tips. The underparts are
nearly white.
T. s. ordinalis—China. This form is similar to T. s. senescens,
but T. s. ordinalis is a much paler form.
T. s. orientalis—Siberia, northeast China, and Korea. This
form is similar to T. s. senescens, but T. s. orientalis is
brighter and ruddier. Also, the clearly defi ned white su-
praorbital stripe extends to the nose. The outer dorsal
light stripes are ruddier than the inner stripes.
T. s. pallasi—no information is available.
T. s. senescens—China. The general color of T. s. senescens is
similar to T. s. ordinalis.
T. s. umbrosus—Kansu (= Gansu) (China). This form diff ers
from T. s. senescens by the lack of gray hairs on the head