Information
About Chipmunks
Chipmunks are a rodent that average 9.6 inches in length. Full grown chipmunks weigh about 2.8 – 3.2 ounces. They are light brown with black and white stripes on their back.
Chipmunks live in most parts of America and Canada. They live in forested areas with lots of cover and nut trees. They live in burrows that are approximately 3 feet under the ground. The burrows have many chambers including a nest and many storage spaces for food. The burrow has one unobstructed entrance, the others are barricaded with leaves. The tunnels are usually 20-30 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter. They like to re-use burrows made by other chipmunks.
Chipmunks eat nuts, berries, acorns, eggs, seeds, and fungi. They spend most of their time gathering food. They eat the softer food first and save the harder food in their food stores. They keep gathering food no matter how big their food storage is.
Chipmunks are very territorial. They will bite if they have to defend their territory. Two chipmunks can live on one acre without fighting with each other. They communicate with a few different chirps and soft cuk-cuk-cuk sounds to announce there are trespassers on their property. Chipmunks are usually afraid of humans but they can be easily tamed.
They do not truly hibernate in the winter, they just sleep and wake up to eat. This is called a torpor.
Chipmunks usually live for 2-3 years. Females and males mate twice a year. After the mating season, the female will give birth to 2-9 young. The young stay in the burrow for 6 weeks, then they start coming out for short periods of time. Over time, the chipmunks will stay away for longer periods of time. Finally the mother chipmunk will not let the young chipmunks into the burrow.
Their main predators are owls, hawks, coyotes, foxes, martins, fishers, bobcats, raccoons and even red squirrels.