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All of the various species have omnivorous diets. This small rodent is so called due to being endemic to eastern parts of North America. These cheek pouches enlarge as the animals age and act as stores, where the chipmunks usually carry large amounts of food to later hoard it at their burrows. The Eastern chipmunks have pouches on their cheeks, made of extendible skin. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The habitat of chipmunks differs from species to species. When they are about a year old, they reach sexual maturity and begin reproducing themselves. In order to come out their underground burrows in spring, these rodents often have to dig through up to a meter of snow. Instead, they regularly wake up from hibernation, occasionally leaving the burrow if it's warm enough. They construct their nests out of crushed or chewed leaves in a large chamber. They stuff seeds and nuts into their cheek pouches and carry them to a burrow to be stored for later use. They are part of the ground squirrel, or Marmotini, tribe. In addition, one introduced population of the Eastern chipmunks is found on Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada. After breeding, the male returns home and takes no part in the care of the young. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Updates? Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. If you find a young or injured Chipmunk you should bring it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for care. A typical burrow of this animal is composed of numerous entrances as well as tunnels, which are connected between each other. They take surplus food and store it in their cheek pouches. As for the rest of the species, they live throughout Canada, the United States, and some species range into Mexico. In addition, one introduced population of the Eastern chipmunks is found on Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada. Chipmunks are generally seen scampering through the undergrowth of a variety of environments from scrublands, alpine forests to shrubby deserts. Nevertheless, sometimes they scatter-hoard, helping disperse seeds of various plants. Weighing 70–142 grams (2.5–5 ounces), it has a body 14–19 cm (5.5–7.5 inches) long and a shorter tail (8–11 cm [3.1–4.3 inches]). In spite of being accomplished climbers, they are terrestrial foragers. Chipmunk Habitat. In North America, chipmunks are found in diverse surroundings, ranging from montane and sub-alpine forests to shrubby deserts and areas at high elevation. A second litter, usually smaller, is often produced in regions with long summers. They have small bodies with little rounded ears, several dark stripes down their flanks, and a mid-length furry tail. The Hopi chipmunk (T. rufus) lives among the buttes and canyonlands of the American Southwest and is remarkably adept at climbing sheer rock faces and overhangs. They scamper along the ground but are also expert climbers. The Eastern chipmunk is a mainly terrestrial animal, distinguished by 5 dark stripes, stretching along its back, from shoulders to rump, and alternating with 4 light colored stripes. The only Old World species is the Siberian chipmunk (T. sibiricus), which ranges from the White Sea of northwestern Russia eastward through Siberia to northern Japan and south to China. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), common to the deciduous forests of eastern North America, is the largest. As a group they are an ecologically versatile genus. Eastern chipmunks live in burrows, which they dig themselves. Eastern Chipmunk on The IUCN Red List site -, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_chipmunk, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/42583/0. The long, soft coat of this animal often becomes paler during the winter months. Body length among most species ranges from 8 to 16 cm (3.1 to 6.3 inches) and tail length from 6 to 14 cm (2.4 to 5.5 inches). Eastern chipmunks are generally herbivores, they feed upon fruit, seeds and nuts, complementing this diet with occasional insects, earthworms, slugs, eggs of birds and mushrooms. During the breeding season, females remain within their territories, while males come to mate, travelling 170 meters on average from their burrows to the mating sites. They store food in their cheek pouches and carry it back to their nest for storage. Although they experience periods of torpor, chipmunks occasionally emerge on sunny, windless winter days. And finally, being common and widespread, the Eastern chipmunks are an important prey species for local predators. Despite the numerous species, most Chipmunks look quite similar to one another. For example, the Siberian species utilizes both forest and taiga habitat, while the eastern species lives in coniferous forests and also ranges into suburban areas. Chipmunk, (genus Tamias), any of 25 species of small, striped, terrestrial squirrels with large internal cheek pouches used for transporting food. Most species weigh about 3 or 4 ounces, though size varies based on location. Read on to learn about the Chipmunk. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. https://www.britannica.com/animal/chipmunk, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Chipmunk, chipmunk - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), chipmunk - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The word "chipmunk" is thought to originate from "chip-chip" sound that this animal usually produces. In addition, they are key dispersers of fungi spores throughout their range. According to IUCN, the Eastern chipmunk is abundant and widespread across its range but no overall population estimate is available. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. The gestation period lasts about a month. Eastern chipmunks have two breeding season, one of which occurs from February to April, and the other lasts from June to August. They were not considered to be true hibernators, but studies indicate that the eastern chipmunk’s body temperature ranges from 35 to 41 °C (95 to 105.8 °F) during activity and drops to 5–7 °C (41–44.6 °F) during torpor—a difference that characterizes true hibernators. They inhabit various forest types, from timberline slopes and rock-bordered alpine meadows downward through coniferous and deciduous forests to dry scrublands and sagebrush deserts. They relish seeds, berries, and tender plants, but they also eat fungi, insects and other arthropods, and sometimes carrion. Females usually continue living close to the area, where they have been raised, whereas males disperse farther. As most chipmunks do not accumulate significant fat during the fall, they depend upon this cached food during the winter. They do not need to live in groups, as they are solitary creatures. They have prominent eyes and ears, a furry tail, and delicate claws. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Two to eight (rarely nine) young are born in spring or summer after about a month’s gestation. Born helpless, they develop quite quickly, and most reach independence when they are about two months old. The Chipmunk is a small, easily recognizable rodent in the squirrel, or Sciuridae, family. During the day, they forage throughout the forest, both on the ground and up in the trees. You can find them in parks, gardens, suburbs, farms, and more. Some food they eat when they return to their nest, others they store within the nest for later consumption. They are blind and lack fur. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Yes, they are small and adorable, but they are wild animals. The chipmunks’ call is a shrill chirring or chipping. Due to their hording habit, these rodents prevent seed dispersal of plant, which they store. Different species can be found from sea level to 3,900 metres (12,800 feet) in environments defined by large rocks, boulders, and cliffs. Individuals of both sexes look alike. Chipmunks are members of the squirrel family (Sciuridae) within the order Rodentia. After a while, young disperse, becoming independent at about 2 months old. Their tail does not have the bushiness of a tree squirrel. Most litters contain between three and five young. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. These little rodents measure about 5 or 6 inches long, with 4- or 5-inch-long tails. Most species do not face direct threat from human interaction, but certain subspecies and population in specific regions suffer decline. However, most of the animal portion of their diet consists of insects and other invertebrates. Of the 25 species of chipmunks, all but one, Asia’s Eutamias sibiricus, is found in North America. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) and its numbers remain stable. Omissions? Humans have not domesticated these little ground squirrels in any way. Newborn babies of this species are altricial, weighing only 3 grams. They have small bodies with little rounded ears, several dark stripes down their flanks, and a mid-length furry tail. Eastern chipmunks are highly territorial, particularly defending areas around their burrows. In Canada, their range stretches from Nova Scotia to south-eastern Saskatchewan. As you saw with the eastern species, sometimes these rodents utilize more urban areas. Despite the numerous species, most Chipmunks look quite similar to one another. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Humans have also introduced some species outside of their natural range as well. The Siberian species inhabits vast regions of northern Asia. In addition to denning in burrows, it regularly sleeps and nests in trees, where it sometimes raises young in tree cavities or abandoned bird nests. Periods of increased activity are mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Announcing our NEW encyclopedia for Kids! Chipmunks construct complex burrows which can measure 3 – 4 metres in length.

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