Share on Facebook
Share on X
Share by Email
Share on Google Classroom
Chipmunks are diminutive members of the squirrel family belonging to the genus Tamias. Five species occur in Canada, from the Maritimes to parts of BC, the southern Yukon, and the southern Northwest Territories: eastern chipmunk (T. striatus), least (T. minimus), yellow pine (T. amoenus), Townsend's (T. townsendii), and red-tailed chipmunk (T. ruficaudus).
Description
The largest is the eastern chipmunk, weighing about 100 g. It is restricted to east of Saskatchewan. The other species are smaller, ranging from 35 g for the least chipmunk to 85 g for Townsend's chipmunk. Alert, sprightly animals, chipmunks run with tails erect. All have 5 dark stripes down the back; eastern chipmunks also have 2 lateral stripes on each side ending at the rump.
Diet
Chipmunks hibernate in subterranean nests, feeding on stored foodstuffs during frequent arousals. Chipmunks are omnivorous, eating seeds, nuts, invertebrates and occasionally small eggs.
Reproduction and Development
Most species of chipmunks bear one litter (5–6 young) each summer; eastern chipmunks, two (3–4 young). They are too scarce to be economically significant, but being diurnal, attractive and almost constantly busy, they afford pleasure to all who watch them.
