Cliff Chipmunk (Neotamias dorsalis) is in the Squirrels family (Sciuridae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,098 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Cliff Chipmunk: observations by month (U.S.)
About Cliff Chipmunk
The cliff chipmunk (Tamias dorsalis) is a small, bushy-tailed squirrel that typically lives along cliff walls or boulder fields bordering Pinyon-juniper woodlands in the Western United States and Mexico (commonly spotted in northern Arizona to Colorado). Cliff chipmunks are very agile, and can often be seen scaling steep cliff walls. Cliff chipmunks do not amass body fat as the more common ground squirrel does. They create a "stash" of food which they frequent during the cold...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Cliff Chipmunk by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 2,767 | May | Mar–Oct |
| New Mexico | 156 | May | Mar–Oct |
| Utah | 134 | October | May–Oct |
| Nevada | 32 | June | May–Jun |
| Idaho | 5 | May | May–Aug |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related mammals (Squirrels)
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Chipmunk
California Ground Squirrel
Groundhog
American Red Squirrel
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Cliff Chipmunk?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from March to October.
Where is Cliff Chipmunk most often seen?
The most observations come from Arizona, New Mexico, Utah.