Mammals Daytime

Townsend's Chipmunk

Neotamias townsendii

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The largest and most elusive chipmunk of the Pacific Northwest, the Townsend's Chipmunk is a master of the mossy understory. With its dark, shadowy stripes and cautious nature, it is a prized find for any backyard wildlife watcher.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Total length 23–29 cm (9–11.5 in); weight 60–110 g (2.1–3.9 oz)

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Colors

Rich tawny-brown to dark chocolate body; five dark dorsal stripes separated by four lighter, brownish-gray stripes; tawny-orange flanks

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Key Features

Largest chipmunk species in the Pacific Northwest
Dull, brownish-gray stripes (lacks the bright white of other species)
Long, bushy tail often held straight during movement
Large ears compared to other local chipmunks

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-11 AM and 3-6 PM

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Season April-October

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Diet Omnivorous and opportunistic; feeds on conifer seeds, maple samaras, berries (especially salal and huckleberry), and is a crucial disperser of underground fungal spores (truffles).

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Habitat Dense coniferous or mixed forests, shady riparian zones, and suburban gardens with heavy brush cover or wood piles.

Behavior

Townsend's chipmunks are the enigmatic giants of the chipmunk world. Unlike their more boisterous and brightly colored cousins found in open meadows, these rodents are specialists of the deep, shadowed forests of the Pacific Northwest. They are primarily ground-dwellers, spending their time scuttling through ferns, salal, and over moss-covered logs. They are notably more cautious and less vocal than other squirrels, often disappearing into thick undergrowth at the first sign of a threat.

While they are solitary and territorial, they maintain complex home ranges that often overlap with abundant food sources. In the garden, they are clever and persistent, often memorizing the exact timing of bird feeder refills. Unlike many other small mammals, they do not enter a deep, continuous hibernation. Instead, they remain semi-active throughout the winter, entering short bouts of torpor and waking frequently to feed on their meticulously gathered food caches during mild weather.

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Camera Tips

To capture the Townsend’s chipmunk on camera, you must account for their preference for low-light, high-cover environments. Position your camera in the 'in-between' spaces—near the base of a large Douglas fir, alongside a woodpile, or at the edge of a dense thicket. Set the camera height low, roughly 6 to 10 inches off the ground, and angle it slightly downward. Because these chipmunks move in lightning-fast 'stop-and-go' bursts, a camera with a fast trigger speed (0.3 seconds or less) and a high-frame-rate video mode is essential to catch them before they dart out of frame.

Using a lure is the most effective way to get high-quality close-ups. A small, flat rock or a mossy log placed 3-5 feet in front of the lens serves as a perfect stage. Place a handful of black oil sunflower seeds or raw walnuts in a small crevice on the 'stage' so the animal has to pause and work for the food, giving your AI camera plenty of time to trigger and focus. For the most natural-looking shots, avoid plastic feeders and instead use natural hollows in logs or stumps to hide the bait.

In the Pacific Northwest, rain is a constant factor. Even if your camera is waterproof, a small 'eave' or cover made from a piece of bark can prevent water droplets from blurring the lens. During the summer months, these chipmunks are extremely active in the early morning; however, in the late autumn, you should focus your camera efforts on the warmest part of the afternoon when they are frantically caching food for the winter. If you are using an AI-powered system, ensure the sensitivity is set to 'high' for small animals, as their dark fur can sometimes blend into the forest floor shadows.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Townsend's Chipmunk.

Yellow-pine Chipmunk

Smaller and more brightly colored with distinct, creamy-white stripes on the back and face.

Least Chipmunk

The smallest chipmunk species; it has much higher-contrast stripes and prefers more open, arid habitats.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Townsend's chipmunks are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours. They prefer the soft light of mid-morning and late afternoon, often avoiding the harsh midday sun in open areas.

The best way to attract them is by providing 'structure' like brush piles, large logs, and native shrubs. Offering sunflower seeds, peanuts, or suet in a quiet, shady corner of the yard will also encourage them to visit.

They eat a mix of seeds, nuts, and berries. Uniquely, they also eat fungi and truffles found in the soil. In suburban areas, they are frequent visitors to bird feeders and fallen fruit from orchards.

They are very common in suburban areas that border parks or forests. If your yard has plenty of cover and mature trees, there is a high likelihood they are already living nearby, though they are more secretive than squirrels.

Look for the size and stripe color. Townsend's is larger than most other chipmunks, and its light stripes are a dull brownish-gray rather than the bright, crisp white seen on species like the Yellow-pine chipmunk.

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