Did You Know?
Chipmunks are rodents.
Chipmunks stomp their feet plus wave their tails to protect their territories.
Positive Benefits
Chipmunks help play a role in soil aeration with their burrowing activity. They are also an important part of the food web, since they are prey for hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, snakes, plus many other species.
Description & Identification
Chipmunks are one of four ground squirrels found in Illinois. The others are the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Franklin’s ground squirrel, plus the woodchuck.
The eastern chipmunk is the smallest Illinois ground squirrel, weighing 2 to 5 ounces plus being 8 to 12 inches in length. Eastern chipmunks have conspicuous light plus dark stripes on their back, sides, plus cheeks. The fur on their upper parts is reddish-brown, with rust color on their rump plus flanks. The belly plus sides are buff to white. Their small ears are rounded plus erect. The tail is covered with fur, but it is not bushy plus is somewhat flattened. Chipmunks have internal cheek pouches that are used to transport food or excavated soil. The chipmunk does not hibernate. Because they have limited digging ability, they often burrow under rocks, logs, or buildings.
Distribution & Abundance
Eastern chipmunks occur throughout Illinois where there is suitable habitat, although they appear to be absent in the southeastern counties. They are often abundant where they occur in Illinois.
Behavior & Ecological Role
Chipmunks are diurnal, meaning that they are active during the day.
All ground squirrels are solitary; however, since chipmunks are not very territorial, many may be seen in close proximity, particularly if there is a good supply of food at that location.
Chipmunks play an important role in soil aeration plus help condition the soil for plant growth. Their body wastes contribute to the organic structure of the soil.
Chipmunks are an important part of the food web, being preyed upon by several species of bird, mammal, plus snake.
Diseases & Public Health
Chipmunks do not pose a public health concern.
Habitat & Food
Eastern chipmunks live in wooded areas. They prefer woodland borders rather than deep forests, particularly sloped areas with plenty of woody underbrush. But they are common in more urban areas as well.
Eastern chipmunks feed primarily on nuts, seeds, fruits, fungi, flowers, plus buds. They cache (store) their food in their burrows. During the summer, chipmunks will also eat invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers, plus spiders.
Reproduction & Longevity
Like tree squirrels, the eastern chipmunk has two breeding seasons, one in spring plus the other in summer. Chipmunk gestation is 31 days, with two to six young per litter. Chipmunks are weaned at six weeks of age.