Eastern Chipmunk - Photos by Bruce Dayton - Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

ORDER: Rodentia (Rodents)
FAMILY: Sciuridae (Squirrels, Chipmunks, Marmots, Prairie Dogs)
SPECIES: Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Eastern Chipmunks defend a small area around its burrow, threatening, chasing, and even fighting with a neighbor who invades the space. - They communications by both sounds, and gestures. - Life expectancy can be up to five years, but because of the number of predators, life expectancy in the wild is slightly more than a year. -
SIZE	The Eastern Chipmunk is a small rodent weighing about 4-6 ounces (80-150g) with a head and body length of 5 to 6 inches and a bushy tail that is 3 to 4 inches in length.
DESCRIPTION	The chipmunk's fur is a reddish brown on top, with white belly fur. On both sides of the body, it has one white stripe, boarded by two black parallel stripes, starting at the side of the head to the ear, then continuing from the shoulder to the rump. The tail is brown, with varied shades of black near the end. Sexual Dimorphism: None
BURROW	The Eastern Chipmunk is a ground dwelling mammal, digging complex tunnels or burrows (about 2" in diameter) with many entrances, as well as short escape tunnels. The chipmunk digs with its front paws, which have four sharp claws on each. The dirt is push to the surface, and then carried away in the animals cheeks.
NESTING	Mating occurs in early Spring, and there is one litter per year. An average litter of 3 to 5 young are born in May. Both the male and female raise the young.
BEHAVIOR	From late Fall to early Spring, chipmunks stay underground. They hibernate or enter torpor, waking every couple of weeks to feed on stored nuts and seeds. Occasionally in the winter, on a sunny day, they may venture to the surface.
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE	The Eastern Chipmunk is found in the southeastern provinces of Canada and in most states in the the eastern half of the states as far west as eastern North Dakota.
PREDATORS	The Eastern Chipmunk has many predators: foxes, weasels, cats, hawks, eagles, and owls. In urban areas, house cats are considered to be the chipmunks worst enemy.
HABITAT	Eastern Chipmunks are found in forests, but also in suburban gardens and city parks, as long as there are rocks, stumps or fallen logs to provide perching sites and cover for burrow entrances.
DIET	The chipmunks diet consists of nuts, seeds, and grains. They will climb a tree to harvest acorns, hickory nuts, and other nuts.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.


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Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Groton Township Tompkins County, New York


EChpmk-158_049827	EChpmk-158_037261