A small rodent native to boreal and mountainous regions of North America, characterized by its reddish-brown dorsal coloration and adaptation to cold climates.
Coniferous and mixed forest environments, particularly in alpine and subarctic regions of Canada and northern United States, often found in dense understory vegetation and forest floors with abundant ground cover
Critical seed disperser and prey species in boreal forest ecosystems, contributing to forest regeneration and serving as a key food source for predators like owls, foxes, and weasels
