While exploring the Cerbat Mountains in Arizona, I came across my first-ever example of this small, bushy-tailed squirrel that typically lives along cliff walls or boulder fields bordering pinyon-juniper woodlands in the Western United States and Mexico.

Rather than being brown like a typical chipmunk, it instead has a ground color that is mostly smoky gray. This rodent forages for juniper berries, pine seeds, and acorns. It is an opportunistic in its diet and consumes a wide range of plant material. Seeds are gathered during their prime availability and are carried in cheek pouches and to temporary caches.

This delightful little ground squirrel is a cousin of the Eastern Chipmunk, albeit smaller. Unlike many species of chipmunk, the Cliff Chipmunk lacks bold stripes on its back – instead they are rather faded. This animal’s size varies from 8 to 10 inches, and they weigh an average of 2-1⁄2 ounces. They have a remarkably long lifespan for a mammal of their size, with one specimen living 12-1⁄2 years.

It was an unexpectedly fun find to watch this creature easily maneuver about the rocky terrain habitat.

Third Eye Herp
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