Sonoma chipmunk [SEP] parent taxon
Sonoma chipmunk
The Sonoma chipmunk ("Neotamias sonomae") is a species of rodent in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is endemic to northwestern California in the United States. Members of Neotamias are characterized by having 2 premolars. "N. sonomae" has 2 subspecies: "N. s. alleni" and "N. s. sonomae".
Distribution.
The Sonoma chipmunk is only found in California, north of the San Francisco Bay. Most of its range is within Sonoma and Marin counties.
Habitat.
Sonoma
Sonoma chipmunks have 2 molts per year, having a summer and winter pelage. The winter pelage is generally slightly darker and duller than the summer pelage. "N. s. alleni" is smaller and darker than "N. s. sonomae". There is no distinct sexual dimorphism.
There are 2 other species of chipmunks found in the geographic range of the Sonoma chipmunk: the yellow-pine chipmunk and the Townsend's chipmunk. The yellow-pine chipmunk will be smaller and less reddish than "N. sonomae" and will lack