LEAST CHIPMUNK (Eutamias minimus operarius)
This little chipmunk is distinguished from the only other similar rodent in the Park, the golden-mantled ground squirrel, by its small size and nervous habit, stripes down the middle, as well as the sides of the back, and by narrow strips of black and white on its face. The tail is relatively long and bushy. Total length 8 inches. Found in Colorado east of the Continental Divide, from foothills to above timberline. Another least chipmunk (Eutamias minimus consobrinus) probably overlaps the range of operarius near the Continental Divide, and occupies the west half of the Park.
This quick nervous chipmunk is very common in all zones over 5,000 feet and is found scurrying among the rocks and along the forest floor, as well as running on tree trunks and branches. Like the ground squirrel, it has well-developed cheek pouches in which it can store an amazing amount of food. While it has a form of hibernation, it does not go into the deep torpor of the hibernating ground squirrel. It has been seen in the dead of winter running over the snows.