Chipmunks
- Classification: Order: Rodentia; Family: Sciuridae; Species: Tamias
striatus
- Other Names: Eastern chipmunk
- Appearance: Chipmunks are smallish rodents about the size of rats,
but with shorter tails. Their tails are semi-bushy as compared to a
rat's tail, but nowhere near as furry as a squirrel's. They have black
and white stripes that run down their light brown backs and pouches inside
their cheeks which, when full, can make their head appear twice as large as
it really is. They are typically eight to ten inches long and weigh
around three ounces, with a three or four inch long tail.
- Life Span: 2 - 3 years
- Diet: Chipmunks eat insects, bird eggs, occasionally small rodents,
nuts, acorns, seeds, mushrooms, fruits, berries, and corn.
- Habitat: Chipmunks make shallow underground burrows up to 30 feet
long, in which they store food for the winter. They live in temperate
forests and occasionally even rainforests.
- Typical Personality: Chipmunks are mostly solitary, although they
have been seen gathering to "sing" together in large groups.
- Habits: Chipmunks hibernate in the winter, waking up periodically
to eat the food stores that they nest on. They are diurnal and rarely
come out at night.
- Life Cycle: Each female chipmunk has two breeding seasons, one from
Feb - Apr and one from June - August. They have one litter per season
and usually four or five kits per litter, though they can have up to nine
per litter. The kits do not leave the burrow until they are six weeks
old and do not become full adults until they are one year old.
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