Chipmunk

Appearance:

The eastern chipmunk is one of the largest members of the chipmunk family. It is approximately 8 to 10 inches in length with 3 or 4 inches being the tail. This animal is reddish brown in color on its back with five obvious black stripes separated by white or grey stripes. Its belly is white or crème in color. Its face also has light and dark striping around the eyes which helps distinguish it from similar mammals in its range.

Habitat:

The ideal habitat for the eastern chipmunk is an open hardwood or mixed pine hardwood forest, edge habitat, ravines, deciduous growth along streams, or forested areas that are rocky. They also can be found in parks and residential neighborhoods. It constructs a complex burrow system that has multiple entrances, one main chamber lined with leaf litter, and a few smaller chambers in which food or excess dirt from tunnel excavation is stored.

Behavior:

The primary foods of Tamias striatus are nuts, fruits and seeds of a variety of plants. However, they also eat some animal matter, insects, and bone. As the chipmunk finds suitable food, it will stuff the food into the cheek pouches on both sides of its mouth. Once pouches are full, the chipmunk returns to the burrow to store the food.

Some of the known predators of the eastern chipmunk are foxes, snakes, hawks and other birds of prey, and weasels. When predators are spotted, the chipmunk quickly returns to its burrow to escape danger.