Types of Chipmunk in Montana
Montana is home to at least three chipmunk species. The most common are the least chipmunk and the yellow-pine chipmunk, with the Uinta chipmunk found in the southwest. This guide helps you tell them apart and know where to look.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 7, 2026.
Montana has one main kind of chipmunk. Below are the related species here that people most often mistake for it.
- 5
- species recorded
- July, August, June
- peak months
The wider family, source iNaturalist
Other the squirrel family in Montana
Only one kind of chipmunk lives in Montana, so the useful question is which related animals share the state. 16 other members of the squirrel family have a verified record here, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The ones you are most likely to see, or mix up with a chipmunk, are Columbian Ground Squirrel, American Red Squirrel and Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel. They are listed below, ranked by how often each is recorded.
Other members of the squirrel family in Montana
| Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|
| Red-tailed ChipmunkNativeNeotamias ruficaudus | Neotamias ruficaudus | 68 |
| Wyoming Ground SquirrelUrocitellus elegans | Urocitellus elegans | 32 |
| Northern Flying SquirrelNativeGlaucomys sabrinus | Glaucomys sabrinus | 28 |
| Thirteen-lined Ground SquirrelNativeIctidomys tridecemlineatus | Ictidomys tridecemlineatus | 20 |
Records from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
8,649 verified observations on iNaturalist of chipmunk have been recorded in Montana, most often in July, August, June.
Montana is home to at least three chipmunk species. The most common are the least chipmunk and the yellow-pine chipmunk, with the Uinta chipmunk found in the southwest. This guide helps you tell them apart and know where to look.
1. What are the most common chipmunks in Montana?
You will most often see the **least chipmunk** (*Tamias minimus*) and the **yellow-pine chipmunk** (*Tamias amoenus*). The least chipmunk is widespread across the state, from low valleys to mountain forests. The yellow-pine chipmunk prefers drier, open pine woodlands. A third species, the **Uinta chipmunk** (*Tamias umbrinus*), occurs in higher elevations of southwest Montana. For a full overview, visit the/animals/chipmunkhub.
2. How can you tell a least chipmunk from a yellow-pine chipmunk?
Size and stripe patterns are your best clues. The least chipmunk is smaller (about 7-8 inches long) with a narrower face and a less bushy tail. Its dark back stripes are slightly more distinct, and the white stripe above the eye is usually brighter. The yellow-pine chipmunk is slightly larger with a more rounded face and a bushier tail. Its coat often has a warmer, yellowish cast, especially on the sides. In hand, the least chipmunk has a shorter tail relative to body length.
3. Where in Montana are you most likely to see each type?
Start in the appropriate habitat. Look for **least chipmunks** in open sagebrush plains, rocky slopes, and edges of meadows across most of the state. They are common around campgrounds and hiking trails. For **yellow-pine chipmunks**, head to dry, open forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, especially in the western half of Montana. The **Uinta chipmunk** is restricted to subalpine forests and talus slopes in the Bitterroot, Sapphire, and Beartooth ranges. For a general guide to Montana, see/wildlife/montana.
4. When is the best time of year to spot chipmunks in Montana?
Chipmunks are active from late March through October. They hibernate during winter, so your best sightings come in **spring (April-May)** when they emerge and are busy foraging, and again in **early fall (September-October)** as they stockpile food. On warm, sunny mornings you can often see them along trails and roadsides. They are less active during the heat of midday and in heavy rain.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
5. What do chipmunks in Montana eat and where do they den?
Chipmunks are omnivorous. They eat seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and sometimes bird eggs. Look for them carrying food in their cheek pouches. They den in underground burrows, often under rocks, logs, or near building foundations. In Montana, they commonly use abandoned rodent burrows or dig their own. Knowing their food sources helps you predict where they will appear. For more details on chipmunk behavior, check ourtypes guide.
6. Show off your chipmunk sightings with Easy Street Markets gear
After a day of spotting chipmunks, wear your findings. Our **Chipmunk Quote T-Shirt** is a great conversation starter.
Chipmunk Quote T-Shirt
Lightweight and soft, this tee features a playful chipmunk quote. Perfect for hiking or relaxing after a day in the field.Check Price and Availability
Waterproof vinyl chipmunk sticker
Slap this on your laptop or water bottle to commemorate your Montana chipmunk sightings. It's waterproof and built for outdoor use.Check Price and Availability
Chipmunk T-Shirt
A classic design showing a chipmunk in its natural setting. Made from durable cotton, it's ready for trail or town.Check Price and Availability
Browse morechipmunk t-shirtsand other wildlife gear at Easy Street Markets.
7. Frequently asked questions about Montana chipmunks
**Are chipmunks considered rodents in Montana?** Yes, chipmunks are small rodents in the squirrel family. They are common and not protected in most areas.
**Can I keep a chipmunk as a pet in Montana?** It is generally not recommended and may be illegal without a permit. Wild chipmunks do not adapt well to captivity.
**Do chipmunks in Montana carry diseases?** Chipmunks can carry ticks and fleas that may transmit diseases. It is best to observe them from a distance and not handle them.
**What is the difference between a chipmunk and a ground squirrel in Montana?** Chipmunks have distinctive stripes on their face and back, while ground squirrels typically lack face stripes. Chipmunks also have bushier tails and are smaller.
For more on Montana wildlife, visit ourMontana wildlife page.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the most common chipmunks in Montana?+
You will most often see the **least chipmunk** (*Tamias minimus*) and the **yellow-pine chipmunk** (*Tamias amoenus*). The least chipmunk is widespread across the state, from low valleys to mountain forests. The yellow-pine chipmunk prefers drier, open pine woodlands. A third species, the **Uinta chipmunk** (*Tamias umbrinus*), occurs in higher elevations of southwest Montana. For a full overview, visit the/animals/chipmunkhub.
2. How can you tell a least chipmunk from a yellow-pine chipmunk?+
Size and stripe patterns are your best clues. The least chipmunk is smaller (about 7-8 inches long) with a narrower face and a less bushy tail. Its dark back stripes are slightly more distinct, and the white stripe above the eye is usually brighter. The yellow-pine chipmunk is slightly larger with a more rounded face and a bushier tail. Its coat often has a warmer, yellowish cast, especially on the sides. In hand, the least chipmunk has a shorter tail relative to body length.
3. Where in Montana are you most likely to see each type?+
Start in the appropriate habitat. Look for **least chipmunks** in open sagebrush plains, rocky slopes, and edges of meadows across most of the state. They are common around campgrounds and hiking trails. For **yellow-pine chipmunks**, head to dry, open forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, especially in the western half of Montana. The **Uinta chipmunk** is restricted to subalpine forests and talus slopes in the Bitterroot, Sapphire, and Beartooth ranges. For a general guide to Montana, see/wildlife/montana.
4. When is the best time of year to spot chipmunks in Montana?+
Chipmunks are active from late March through October. They hibernate during winter, so your best sightings come in **spring (April-May)** when they emerge and are busy foraging, and again in **early fall (September-October)** as they stockpile food. On warm, sunny mornings you can often see them along trails and roadsides. They are less active during the heat of midday and in heavy rain. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
5. What do chipmunks in Montana eat and where do they den?+
Chipmunks are omnivorous. They eat seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and sometimes bird eggs. Look for them carrying food in their cheek pouches. They den in underground burrows, often under rocks, logs, or near building foundations. In Montana, they commonly use abandoned rodent burrows or dig their own. Knowing their food sources helps you predict where they will appear. For more details on chipmunk behavior, check ourtypes guide.
Keep exploring
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