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Tamias striatus

Common Name: Eastern Chipmunk
Tamias striatus
Tamias striatus

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Tamias
Species: Tamias striatus

Conservation Status

Identifying Features

Eastern chipmunks are between 5-6" in length and have a redish-brown back with white bellies. They have white stripes edged in black along their sides and down their back. The stripes do not reach the base of the tail.

Their hind tracks are under 2" with 5 toes and their front tracks have 4 toes. Teir burrow openings are near woods and are 2" wide.

They can be identified by their sharp chip or chuck-chuck-chuck sound.

Habitat & Range

Eastern chipmunks live near woods and shrubland in the eastern half of the United States. Their range extends into the Southeastern borders of Canada.

Behavior

Eastern Chpmunks are primarily solitary and are active during the day. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, bulbs, fruit, insects, and eggs.

Life Cycle

These chipmunks mate during early spring and again in summer and give birth to small litters of around 4 young.

Featured image by James Dake.

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