CHIPMUNK



Chipmunks, the smallest members of the squirrel family, feed on nuts, berries, seeds, and grains. They stuff food into their cheek pouches and carry it to their burrows to store, lively and speedy critters, chipmunks are small members of the squirrel family. Their podgy cheeks, large, glossy eyes, stripes, and bushy tails have made them a favourite among animators, and landed them a series of starring roles in Hollywood.
Of the 25 species of chipmunks, all but one, Asia’s chipmunk, is found in North America. Ranging from Canada to Mexico, they are generally seen scampering through the undergrowth of a variety of environments from alpine forests to shrubby deserts. Some dig burrows to live in, complete with tunnels and chambers, while others make their homes in nests, bushes, or logs. Depending on species, chipmunks can be grey to reddish-brown in colour with contrasting dark and light stripes on the sides of their face and across their back and tail.


Chipmunks generally gather food on the ground in areas with underbrush, rocks, and logs, where they can hide from predators like hawks, foxes, coyotes, weasels, and snakes. They feed on insects, nuts, berries, seeds, fruit, and grain which they stuff into their generous cheek pouches and carry to their burrow or nest to store. Chipmunks hibernate, but instead of storing fat, they periodically dip into their cache of nuts and seeds throughout the winter.

Fast Facts

Type: Mammal

Diet: Omnivore

Average life span in the wild: 2 to 3 years

Size: 10 to 18 cm; Tail, 8 to 13 cm.

Weight: 28 to 142 grams

Did you know?
Although chipmunks hibernate, they do not store fat. Instead they slowly gnaw away at their summer bounty throughout the winter.