![]() DietĬhipmunks are considered omnivores, while squirrels are considered herbivores. However, this is a different species, and one way that you can tell it apart from a chipmunk is that the ground squirrel has spots in addition to stripes. There is a species of ground squirrel called the 13-lined ground squirrel that people sometimes confuse with chipmunks. Chipmunks have brown fur on their backs with black and white stripes. The darker fur is usually in a shade of brown or gray, with some being so dark as to appear black. Tree squirrels have light-coloured fur on their stomachs and darker fur on their backs. There are several important differences by which you can tell them apart. Therefore, they are related but not that closely. Squirrels and chipmunks are each part of the family of rodents called Sciuridae. Please keep your dog on a leash and do not allow your pets to chase any wildlife.In addition to knowing who to call for squirrel removal, it is also important to know what kind of animals are on your property. While chipmunks are cute and approachable, they can bite. Most eastern chipmunks survive for about two years in the wild. Young will begin to survive on their own at eight weeks. After young are weaned, females move to a different burrow and leave young in their natal burrow until they disperse. The female gestation period is about 35 days. The babies are born blind and hairless in their underground burrows. Family LifeĬhipmunks can have two litters a year - one in spring and one in midsummer. ![]() They will even carry the soil they dig up away from the burrow, so the location stays hidden. While the entrance to their burrows may look small, the burrows can extend up to three feet underground.Ĭhipmunks are always concerned about predators, so they choose places to burrow near natural cover, like rocks or logs. Unlike their tree-dwelling cousins, chipmunks prefer to burrow underground. Foraging for their own food is healthier than accepting human food handouts.Ī chipmunk’s cheek pouch can actually stretch to be three times the size of its head! That’s very useful when they’re collecting food to store for the winter. They collect seeds, nuts, berries, and mushrooms to take back to their burrow. Chipmunks are perfectly capable of feeding themselves. DietĬhipmunks use their cheeks to help them store food. They prefer forested natural areas, as trees provide nuts and seeds and protection from predators, such as hawks. BehaviorĬhipmunks are most active during the daytime. They do not hibernate but stay mostly underground during the colder months.įoraging for food occurs mainly on the ground, but they can also climb. Their tails are shorter and usually much less fluffy than a squirrel's. ![]() Chipmunks are less than half that length, and weigh just 4 ounces - that's lighter than a baseball! Chipmunks also have black, brown, or white stripes that run along their back. Squirrels' bodies are typically 9-12 inches long (excluding their tail). ![]() While they are both members of the squirrel family, Sciuridae, chipmunks are a totally different species.Įastern chipmunk (left) and an eastern gray squirrel (right) Chipmunks are even occasionally mistaken for baby squirrels. People sometimes confuse eastern chipmunks with eastern gray squirrels. Although our eastern gray squirrels get most of the attention, eastern chipmunks are pretty common in our parks, too.Ĭhipmunks can be found scurrying along the ground looking for food - sometimes with their cheeks stuffed with seeds, nuts, and other snacks. As you explore our parks, keep your eyes peeled for these cute critters, especially in the fall when they gather food for winter.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |