# Chipmunk (*Tamias striatus*) Chipmunks are small, striped rodents that collect seeds in their cheek pouches. They live in burrows underground. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests, gardens, and parks. ![Chipmunk](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425963/objects/4383.jpg) ## Appearance The Chipmunk has distinctive reddish-brown fur with five dark stripes down its back, bordered by white or gray stripes. Its bushy tail is often held upright, and its small, alert eyes make it easily recognizable from squirrels. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Sciuridae - **Genus:** Tamias ## Interesting facts - A group of chipmunks is sometimes called a 'chattering' – how fitting for such vocal critters! - Chipmunks can hibernate, but they wake up often to eat from their stored food! - Chipmunks help forests grow by burying seeds that they forget to eat, planting new trees! - They use their tails as a counter-balance when climbing or running, just like an acrobat! ## Special abilities - **Pocket Power:** Chipmunks can stuff their huge cheek pouches with seeds and nuts, carrying snacks bigger than their heads! - **Underground Architect:** Chipmunk can dig complex burrows with separate rooms for sleeping and storing food, keeping them safe and cozy. - **Nimble Navigator:** Chipmunks have amazing agility and can climb trees or dart over rocks super fast to escape predators. - **Alarm Caller:** Chipmunks make a loud 'chip-chip' warning call to alert others when a predator is nearby, keeping their group safe. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-19 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.15 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 2-8 - **Gestation:** 30-31 days ## Diet & Feeding Chipmunks are omnivores, munching on a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and even tiny insects. - **Primary Foods:** Nuts, Seeds, Berries, Fungi, Insects, Bird eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A common aerial predator of chipmunks. - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — Chipmunks are a small part of this larger predator's varied diet. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Young chipmunks can fall prey to these ground-dwelling snakes. - **Depends on:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — Chipmunks rely on acorns from oak trees for food. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not try to touch — they may bite if scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Chipmunk? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Chipmunk? 12-19 cm ### How much does Chipmunk weigh? 0.05-0.15 kg ### How long does Chipmunk live? 2-8 years ### How fast can Chipmunk move? 30 km/h ### What does Chipmunk eat? Chipmunks are omnivores, munching on a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and even tiny insects. ### Where is Chipmunk usually found? Forests, gardens, and parks. ### How does Chipmunk hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Chipmunk: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chipmunk)