Chipmunk

Chipmunk Facts

Size	7.2-11 inch (18.5-28.5 cm)
Speed	Up to 20.5 mph (33 km/h)
Weight	1.1-5.29 oz (32-150 g)
Lifespan	4-8 years
Food	Nuts, seeds, insects, fruits
Predators	Falcons, racoons
Habitat	North America
Order	Rodents
Family	Squirrels
Scientific name	Tamias striatus
Characteristics	Striped fur and large teeth

Main Characteristics

Chipmunks are little striped rodents. There are 23 sub-species living in all parts of America from Canada to Mexico. We will provide you with some information on the biggest species, the Eastern chipmunk that is found in North America.

Chipmunk Photo: colacat/Shutterstock

Species

Chipmunk or Squirrel?

Stripes or no stripes – that is the question. Chipmunks have five dark-brown stripes on their backs, with white and light-brown stripes in between. Squirrels do not have any stripes.

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Anatomy and Appearance

Cheeks

The most distinctive feature of the chipmunk are the cheek pouches on the sides of its mouth. They allow the little rodent to temporarily store food. This is particularly convenient in dangerous situations if the rodent does not want to leave its food behind but cannot eat all of it at once. Or when the chipmunk has eaten enough and wants to carry the food to its burrow for storage. When the cheek pouches are full they can be bigger than the chipmunk’s head.

Chipmunk Photo: Bastrik/Shutterstock

Diet

Chipmunks are often depicted with nuts in their small paws. Although nuts are an important item on their menu, chipmunks also love to eat seeds, insects and fruits.

Behavior

Digging

Chipmunks dig tunnels which can be up to 32.8 feet (10 meters) long and have several entrances and paths.

Social Behavior

Alvin and the Chipmunks are almost inseparable buddies. Together they experience the most outrageous adventures. Yet, in reality the little rodents are loners that spend most of their lifetime on their own. They can only be seen together during the mating season and when they are taking care of their offspring.

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Hibernation

Chipmunks don't consume larger quantities of fat before winter. They don't really hibernate, but wake up every few days to feed on the food supplies they have gathered during the summer. This behavior is called winter rest.

Chipmunk Photo: Margaret M Stewart/Shutterstock

Senses and Abilities

Climbing

Acrobatic antics like those of Alvin, Simon and Theodore are nothing for real chipmunks. They spend most of the time on the ground and only climb trees to gather food.

Eyesight

Even though Simon is wearing glasses: Real chipmunks have very good eyesight!

Sounds

The Chipmunks Alvin, Theodore and Simon are very gifted musicians. They play the guitar, drums, clarinet, saxophone and even the tuba. Real chipmunks also utter sounds, although they do not sing or use musical instruments: We know about 30 combinations of bird-like “chip”-sounds (hence their name) from high-pitched “chip-chip-chip” to soft and dark “chuck-chuck” sounds.

Communication

In the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks" you can see how chipmunks let their bushy tails dance. The makers of the movie have copied this from the behavior of real chipmunks. It is part of their body language and helps them to communicate better with each other.

Chipmunk Photo: Fsgreen/Shutterstock

Life Expectancy

In the wild, the average chipmunk only reaches an age of 1 year, in rare cases up to three years.

Reproduction

Chipmunks mate in spring and in early summer. They usually have litters of four or five young animals. They leave the burrow after about six weeks.

Fun Facts

Only Four Front Toes

Chipmunks have four toes on their fore-paws and five toes on their hind paws.

Famous Chipmunks

The band Alvin and the Chipmunks has already been awarded with several Grammies although the group does not really exist. The band members Alvin, Theodore and Simon Seville are named after the general managers of the music label Liberty Records: Alvin Bennett, Simon Waronker and Theodore Keep.

In addition to their musical activities, the Chipmunks are also starring in one cartoon series and two cinema productions.