Chipmunk               

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Introduction

Chipmunks are about six inches long and are related to the squirrel. The shapes of their tails vary from long to short, tapered, or flat. They usually live in mixed woods and brush. Chipmunks live in underground burrows that can be up to 6 feet long and 2 to 3 feet deep. Burrow entrances are often overlooked and difficult to find because no soil is piled up and the entrance can be concealed with leaves and other debris. A burrow system usually has more than one entrance and usually includes a nest chamber (up to 12 inches in diameter) lined with leaves and a food-storage chamber that can hold 9 gallons of food Their territories may overlap with other chipmunks but they defend their burrows where they store their collection of food. They are always very active and often chase each other. Their home range is quite small, and most chipmunks don't travel more than 45 feet from their homes. They may expand this home range if there is not enough food available up to three acres.

Food Habits

Chipmunks eat seeds, corn, nuts, fruits, and mushrooms. They have also been known to eat insects, frogs, salamanders, and climb trees to eat bird's eggs. They spend most of their time collecting food for winter which they store in their burrows or bury nearby. They can carry food in their cheek pouches which are located along their cheeks and necks. The chipmunk empties its cheeks by squeezing its cheeks with its paws.

Family Life

Mating occurs from February to April and then again from June to July. The first litter of 3-4 young are born around April and May and the second litter about July or August. The young are born hairless but are fuzzy at about two weeks and at six weeks start to venture out of the burrow. About two weeks after they emerge from the burrow, the mother refuses to allow them to return. About the time the young are dispersed, the adults begin singing in their burrows, which may help to advertise that their burrow is occupied as the young are searching for their own burrows. The average life span of a chipmunk in the wild is two to three years.

Winter Habits

Chipmunks don’t hibernate in the winter time. They go into a state of torpor where their metabolism and respiration is slowed down for short periods of time. During winter thaws, chipmunks awakens and goes about their normal activities.

Threats

The chipmunk's predators are foxes, hawks, snakes, owls, house cats, and weasels. Weasels chase them and can reach into their burrow. Chipmunks are active in the daytime and sleep at night to avoid predators.

Benefits

Despite occasional irritations, chipmunks are fun to watch.

Problems and Solutions

Chipmunks can become pests by burrowing in gardens and lawns, digging up newly planted seeds, eating fresh garden or flower stems and fruits, and gnawing on tree bark and buds. They can also get into your house and are somewhat aggressive. They do bite and can carry the racoon strain of rabies.

Use 1/4-inch hardware cloth and bury it six to eight inches deep to keep chipmunks from digging under sidewalks and around gardens or other important areas. You can also use a repellent, such as fox urine.