Olympic Chipmunk

An Olympic chipmunk chewing on a plant
An endemic Olympic chipmunk chews the leaves off of a twig.

Ken and Mary Campbell

Olympic Chipmunk - Tamias amoenus caurinus

Identification:
Olympic chipmunks are one of several endemic mammals on the Olympic Peninsula and are they are found nowhere else in the world. These creatures are quite small, weighing less than a pound. They have white underbellies and brownish fur, with dark and light stripes running from their nose to their ears and down their backs.

Habitat:
Olympic chipmunks are forest inhabitants, most common in the park's subalpine zone where the forests blend into meadows. They are relatively abundant, and conspicuous, and more often heard than seen. Once spotted, they can be hard to track, darting under leaves and brush to hide.

Diet:
These creatures, like other chipmunks, forage the forest floor for seeds, nuts, berries, insects, and sometimes fungi during the winter. For such small creatures, they have large cheek pouches that can store quite a bit of food.

Back to species list

 
 
Photo of two elk with antlers in a mossy forest. Inset of a small brown songbird.
Olympic NP Animals

Olympic is home to a wide variety of animals from mammals to mollusks and much more. Learn about them here.

Photographer taking a photo at the beach.
Ethical Wildlife Viewing

Animals in parks are wild—Visitors are responsible for their own safety and for the safety of the animals, too.

A black bear on a hillside covered in greenery and wildflowers.
Bears Are Waking Up. Be Smart About It.

Visit the link to learn how to coexist with wild animals so that you stay safe, and they do too.

Last updated: August 28, 2024

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

600 E. Park Avenue
Port Angeles, WA 98362

Phone:

360 565-3130

Contact Us