Merriam's chipmunk
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Sciuridae
Genus:	Neotamias
Species:	N. merriami
Binomial name
Neotamias merriami (J. A. Allen, 1889)
Synonyms
Tamias merriami J. A. Allen, 1889

Merriam's chipmunk (Neotamias merriami) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in central and southern California^[2] in the United States and a small area in northern Baja California, Mexico.^[1]

The dental formula for Tamias merriami is 1.0.2.3.1.0.1.3. × 2 = 22^[3]

Reproduction

When mating, females attract males by calling to them. The duration of the female call is ten to fifteen minutes. A male will hear the call and respond to it by running to and jumping around the female. The female then squats down, and the male performs 12-24 thrusts. The entire process of mating lasts about fifteen seconds.^[4]

References