The chipmunk, a striped symphony of rust and brown, is a tiny tenant in the grand scheme of North American wildlife. These energetic burrowers hold the title of “cheekiest character” in the critter kingdom, thanks to their signature bulging cheeks used to store an impressive amount of food.
A Statistical Snapshot of the Speedy Scamperer
Chipmunks number in the tens of millions across the US and Canada. With over 25 species of chipmunks across North America there is a lot of variety among these curious rodents. They’re most active in the eastern half of the continent, particularly in deciduous forests with a healthy understory. While some species venture out for an occasional midnight snack, chipmunks are primarily diurnal (active in the day), bustling about in the warmth of the sun.
A chipmunk’s diet is a buffet of nature’s bounty. They devour nuts, seeds, fruits, and even insects. Adapted to living among humans, these cheek-pouch bandits are notorious for raiding vegetable gardens and sampling your backyard produce.
Fun Fact: a chipmunk’s cheek pouches can stretch to hold up to three times the volume of their head – that’s like a human stuffing a watermelon in each cheek!
Do You Have a Backyard Hoarder?
If you suspect a chipmunk has set up camp in your yard, keep an eye out for these telltale signs:
- Tunnels: Chipmunks create elaborate burrow systems with multiple entrances and chambers. You might spot small piles of dirt near potential entrances as these diggers work to build their personal catacombs.
- Missing snacks: Suddenly disappearing vegetables or fallen fruit could be the work of a chipmunk pilfering your garden bounty as they eat and stock pile without regard for whose property it was.
- Speedy streaks: Chipmunks are quick and agile, darting through undergrowth or scurrying up trees in a flash. Combined with their small stature and camouflage coloring, it can be hard to know for sure if it was a chipmunk that darted by.
Chipmunk Courtship
Despite what a certain crime fighting cartoon duo may have you believe, Chipmunks are solitary creatures except during breeding season. Mating Season typically occurs in the spring (March-May) when males compete for a mate through a series of vocalizations and chases. These chases are often thought of as brothers playing rather than the show for superiority. After a successful courtship, the female gives birth to a litter of 4-8 pups in an underground chamber. The young chipmunks will stay with their mother for about 8 weeks before venturing out on their own.
The Vital Role of the Little Chomper
Chipmunks may seem like garden pests, but they play a crucial role in their ecosystem. They help disperse seeds through their food-storing habits. When they bury nuts and forget about them, new trees and plants sprout, promoting diversity in the forest. Additionally, chipmunks become prey for various animals like owls, hawks, and foxes, keeping the food chain balanced.
Keeping Your Property Chipmunk Challenged
While chipmunks are undeniably adorable, their love of vegetables can be a source of frustration for home gardeners. Here are some ways to make your property less attractive to these cheeky critters:
- Secure your garden: Use fencing with a buried bottom edge to deter burrowing.
- Harvest ripe produce: Don’t leave fruits and vegetables on the vine too long, as they become a prime target.
- Clean up fallen nuts: Rake up fallen nuts regularly to reduce the chipmunk’s food source.
Remember, they’re just trying to gather enough nuts to survive the winter – and that requires a whole lot of cheek! With this understanding, you might even come to appreciate their frenetic energy and the symphony of chirps that fill your backyard in the spring. Prickly Pear is available to assist with getting your chipmunks under control.
Fun Fact: Did you know that while there are 25 species of chipmunk in North America, the eastern half of the US is dominated by 1 species while the other 24 species share the western US!