Animal Profiles
Mammals

Chipmunk

Tamias

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Chipmunks are small striped squirrels. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus), which carries and stores food in cheek pouches, is the representative described here.

Tamias striatus (chipmunk)

Representative species: Tamias striatus.

Rhododendrites · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Eastern chipmunks inhabit eastern North American woodland, including forest edges and some parks or gardens. Stumps, logs and rocks provide nearby cover.
Habitat
Temperate forest, Towns and cities
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Seeds, nuts and fruit are supplemented by fungi, insects and other small food items.

Classification

Common name
Chipmunk
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Tamias
Taxon rank
genus
Order
Rodentia
Family
Sciuridae
Genus
Tamias
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Cheek pouches carry food.
  • It stores food for later use.
  • It forages mostly on the ground.

Habitat and range

Eastern chipmunks inhabit eastern North American woodland, including forest edges and some parks or gardens. Stumps, logs and rocks provide nearby cover.

Appearance and adaptations

Light and dark stripes run along the back and face. The tail is hairy but less bushy than that of many tree squirrels.

Diet and behaviour

Seeds, nuts and fruit are supplemented by fungi, insects and other small food items. It is active by day and can climb well. Individuals generally live separately and defend the area close to their burrows.

Sources

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