Eastern Chipmunk

Eastern Chipmunk

Tamias striatus

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Forest
Active Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: 2-8 years

The largest chipmunk in North America and the only species found in most of the eastern U.S. It has a reddish body, gray tail, and distinctive stripes on its back. The Eastern Chipmunk spends most of its time on the ground, running with its tail held straight up or digging extensive systems of burrows underground where it hoards food essential to its winter survival. Rather than surviving on accumulated body fat during hibernation, this chipmunk awakens every few days to feed on its stored food.

Diet

Fruit, seeds, nuts, insects

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Tamias
Species: Tamias striatus

Scientific Name

Tamias striatus
Breeding Season
2 breeding seasons February-April and June-August
Lifespan
2-8 years

Behavior

Eastern Chipmunks are solitary and territorial, especially close to their burrow. Foraging occurs mostly along the ground, but they are proficient climbers. Eastern chipmunks cache food but do not have the fat stores to hibernate.

Active Seasons

Spring Summer Fall

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest

Geographic Distribution

Eastern chipmunks are widely distributed throughout the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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