Field Guide/Mammals/Eastern Chimpmunk

Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus Tamias striatus3.jpg Eastern Chipmunk Sciuridae (Squirrel) Total Length: 8.5-11.2 inches (215-285mm) Tail Length: 2.8-4 inches (72-101mm) Weight: 2.8-5.3 oz. (80-150g) 5 black stripes over red-brown, white, and grey stripes on back. Cream belly, white “eyeliner” stripes, 4 toes on front paws & 5 toes on back paws,Anderson R. Stephens J. 2002 Tamias striatus Animal Diversity Web http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Tamias_striatus October 5, 2012 red-brown tail brown on tip Whitaker J.O 1980 Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) A.A.Knopf periodical:Audubon society field guide to North American Mammals pages: 8, 370-373 publisher: Chanticleer Press, Inc. location: New York The Least Chipmunk (Tamias minimus) has similar striping patterns and toes, but is quite a bit smaller than the Eastern Chipmunk. The Eastern Chipmunk ranges from Eastern and Central United States (as far south as Louisiana and Florida) and Southeastern Canada, including Nova Scotia. Eastern Chipmunks live in burrows in deciduous forest or woodland edge, but they are also able to survive in urban environments .Snyder D. P. 1982 Tamias striatus Mammalian Species 168 1–8 http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/ October 4, 2012 The home territory of an Eastern Chipmunk is usually less than 100 yards. The Eastern Chipmunk eats nuts, acorns, seeds, mushrooms, corn, and sometimes berries, slugs, and snails. They collect up to 8 pounds of food for eating in winter. Chipmunks run from burrow to collect food. They stuff and carry food in cheek pouches, as well as soil when digging burrows.Snyder D. P. 1982 Tamias striatus Mammalian Species 168 1–8 http://www.science.smith.edu/msi/ October 4, 2012 They are diurnal and hibernate. Chipmunks call for mating season is a short “chip, chip, chip.” Mating is in March and again the latter half of June–July. Females may bite dominant male as form of rejection. Gestation is 31-32 days, and litters average 4-5. The babies are furless at birth and open eyes after the first month. Eastern Chipmunks live 1-3 years, and up to 8 years in captivity. They wake from hibernation and torpor to eat some and then return to sleep. (Torpor is an advanced stage of hibernation where about 75% of the chipmunk’s functions cease. This decreases energy usage, but can cause temporary brain damage.Popple I. 2006 The Mother of All Hangovers http://spark.mcgill.ca/ianchips.htm October 4, 2012) �