Eastern Chipmunk
Tamias striatus
Their cheek pouches can stretch to the size of their entire head, allowing them to carry multiple large acorns at once.
- Scientific name
- Tamias striatus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Sciuridae › Tamias
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, suburban gardens, and rocky brushlands.
- Diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, nuts, acorns, berries, mushrooms, insects, and occasionally small birds' eggs.
- Range
- Eastern United States, Southeastern Canada
- Size
- 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches) in length, weighing 75 to 150 grams
- Lifespan
- 2 to 3 years in the wild
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Predation by domestic cats, habitat fragmentation, and vehicle collisions in suburban areas.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless and delightful to observe from a distance of 5 to 10 feet. Avoid trying to touch or hand-feed them, as they may bite defensively if cornered. If bitten, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and consult a medical professional to rule out infection.
The eastern chipmunk ( Tamias striatus ) is a chipmunk species found in eastern North America. It is the only living member of the chipmunk subgenus Tamias , sometimes recognised as a separate genus. The name "chipmunk" comes from the Ottawa word ajidamoonh or the Ojibwe word ajidamoo , which translates literally as "one who descends trees headlong."
Photo: Cephas, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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