This little chipmunk is distinguished from the only other similar
rodent in the Park, the golden-mantled ground squirrel, by its small
size and nervous habit, stripes down the middle, as well as the sides
of the back, and by narrow strips of black and white on its face. The
tail is relatively long and bushy. Total length 8 inches. Found in
Colorado east of the Continental Divide, from foothills to above
timberline. Another least chipmunk (Eutamias minimus consobrinus)
probably overlaps the range of operarius near the Continental Divide,
and occupies the west half of the Park.
This quick nervous chipmunk is very common in all zones over 5,000 feet
and is found scurrying among the rocks and along the forest floor, as
well as running on tree trunks and branches. Like the ground squirrel,
it has well-developed cheek pouches in which it can store an amazing
amount of food. While it has a form of hibernation, it does not go into
the deep torpor of the hibernating ground squirrel. It has been seen in
the dead of winter running over the snows.