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CHIPMUNK NATURAL HISTORY Eastern Chipmunk
Scientific Name: Tamais striatus Common Problems: Chipmunks can burrow in flowerbeds, under porches & sidewalks. They usually don't cause any serious damage, but they will dig up bulbs. If a chipmunk gets into your house, you should provide an escape route and he will most likely take it. Hardware cloth (galvanized wire mesh) is good for sealing up entrances. Description: The Eastern Chipmunk is the largest of the chipmunks. They are reddish brown and have 5 stripes on their backs, and a sand, light beige or whitish underside. They have white and (or) black around their eyes. Their tails are not as full and fluffy as tree squirrels. The most distinctive characteristic of the chipmunk is their cheek pouches. They use the pouches to carry food and move dirt. When both pouches are full they are as big as their head! Breeding: 1-2 litters per year between March – May and again between July - September with 1-8 young per litter. Habits & Haunts: The Eastern Chipmunk is a solitary mammal. They don’t share their burrow except in the case of a mother with her babies. Chipmunks live in a small territory around their burrow. They are known to live in the same burrow for several years. A chipmunk will move in and use the abandoned burrow of another animal. They are not monogamous. A male may go looking for a female but the female may reject him by biting and chasing him away. Both males and females are sexually mature around one year of age. The mother stays in the burrow with her babies for several days after giving birth. After that, if she does leave the burrow, it is only for brief periods, increasing the time out of the burrow as the babies approach the weaning age. The babies do not appear outside of the burrow until they are 6 weeks old. The Eastern Chipmunk does not hibernate through winter. They will come out on warm and sunny days to forage for food. Chipmunks store food in the chambers of the burrow and they wake up often during the winter to eat and snack. They only store food that will not spoil. Food: They eat a large variety of foods including fruits (they love grapes), berries, corn (one of their favorites), nuts, acorns, seeds, bulbs, and mushrooms. Chipmunks have also been known to eat insects, bird eggs, and small vertebrates. Found An Orphan? Click here Some information about Rabies in Wildlife |
