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Chipmunk
18
03
2009
 

Chipmunk
by josieO

Scientists have found scientific names for no less than seventy kind of chipmunks – kinds which they call species and subspecies. Most of them are so much alike that hardly anybody but a zoologist in a museum would really be interested in the differences between them, and so here is depicted only the eastern chipmunk which is common throughout the northern part of the eastern half of the United States.

The chipmunk belongs to the squirrel family, but instead of living in the trees – or at least dashing to a tree for security, as a squirrel does when the least thing alarms it – the chipmunk is a ground dwelling creature is more likely to seek shelter in its burrow underground. Nevertheless, the chipmunk can and does climb trees if it is chased by some active enemy, such as a dog.

In September or October the chipmunk retires to its underground nest for winter sleep that lasts until March or April. One nest that was dug out of the ground was about a foot across and contained 2 quarts of grain that the chipmunk had stored up as winter food, as well as a huge pile of solidly packed leaves that served as a bed for the hairless babies. There are usually four or five babies in each letter.

The chipmunk has pouches in its cheeks where it stores nuts and grain, seeds, acorns and berries before carrying them into its nest. As many as thirty-four Beach nuts have been taken out of the cheeks of one chipmunk.

 

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Posted in Rodent by josieO
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