Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern chipmunk (Click to enlarge)
Description: Tan with some gray on neck and top of head; it has two white stripes on its back which are bordered by black. The chipmunk’s belly is all white and its’ tail is gray and reddish brown. White "spectacles" surround the eyes.
Reproduction: Female gives live birth to 3-5 young in July or August. Their burrows are are found on lawns, woodland slopes, forests, and beneath rocks.
Habitat: Lawns, mainly deciduous woodlands, and wooded hillsides. Sometimes seen around old buildings and barns. In winter they hibernate in their burrows.
Defenses: Usually flees into undergrowth but will climb trees or go down a burrow if chased. Predators include hawks, Eastern milk snakes, coyotes, owls, weasels, cats and foxes.
Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruit, insects and spiders. Often seen at bird feeders filling its cheek pouches to haul large amounts of food per trip. Sometimes seen carrying leaves for nests. They can be a pest as they regularly visit bird feeders and dig tunnels through gardens to eat bulbs.
Reproduction: Female gives live birth to 3-5 young in July or August. Their burrows are are found on lawns, woodland slopes, forests, and beneath rocks.
Habitat: Lawns, mainly deciduous woodlands, and wooded hillsides. Sometimes seen around old buildings and barns. In winter they hibernate in their burrows.
Defenses: Usually flees into undergrowth but will climb trees or go down a burrow if chased. Predators include hawks, Eastern milk snakes, coyotes, owls, weasels, cats and foxes.
Diet: Nuts, seeds, fruit, insects and spiders. Often seen at bird feeders filling its cheek pouches to haul large amounts of food per trip. Sometimes seen carrying leaves for nests. They can be a pest as they regularly visit bird feeders and dig tunnels through gardens to eat bulbs.