Several Fascinating Aspects Of The Life Of Chipmunks

Chipmunks are small rodents native to the continents of North America and Asia. Owing to their small size, large glossy eyes, stripes, and bushy tail, these small rodents look quite similar to squirrels. There are 25 sub-species of chipmunks, from which Palmer's chipmunk is listed as 'vulnerable' in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) list of threatened species. There are several fascinating aspects of the life of these creatures; one such aspect is the chipmunks habitat.

Chipmunks Habitat
Although the vast habitat of chipmunks ranges from Asia to North America, most of the chipmunk species are found in North America itself. The Siberian Chipmunk, found all over the northern Asia i.e., central Russia to China, Korea and Japan, is an exception though. In the American continent, the chipmunks habitat is spread all throughout the diverse surroundings, ranging from alpine forests to shrubby deserts, from Canada in the north to Mexico in the south. Unlike squirrels, chipmunks spend most of their time on the ground. The burrows built by these chipmunks are complete with several chambers, and tunnels joining these chambers. Other than for living, the chipmunks also use these burrows to store their food. However, some species of chipmunks do prefer to stay on trees, among the logs, or in the bushes.

Being food gatherers, chipmunks prefer an environment characterized by rocks, logs, bushes and dense undergrowth. This also helps them to save themselves from birds of prey like hawks, predatory animals like foxes and coyotes, and their urban predator - the house cat. Being omnivores, most often chipmunks feed on nuts, berries, seeds, and grains, but at times they are also known to feed on insects and eggs of birds. They also store this food in their burrows as a backup food source for cold winters. They transport this food by carrying it in their mouth. Chipmunks do hibernate, but they don't store fats. Instead they use their store of nuts collected throughout the year as food during hibernation.

Chipmunks don't require to drink water so often as they get the required amount of water from their food itself. They are solitary in nature. An individual chipmunks range is spread over an area of half an acre, but when it comes to defending their area, adult males are only concerned with an area of about 50 meters around the burrow entrance.

Chipmunks Adaptations
Over time, chipmunks have adapted well to the climate of the places where they are found. In order to save themselves from cold winters, chipmunks are known to go into hibernation for several months. During this hibernation period, they tend to sustain on the food stored in their burrows. This adaptation has allowed these mammals to increase their survival rate and be least concerned about finding food in snow. If you would like to keep chipmunks as pets in your yard, you can create a nourishing environment for them by preparing a pile of rocks or logs which are important for an ideal chipmunks habitat.

Fascinating Chipmunks Facts
If you thought that the habitat of a chipmunk was interesting, then these facts about chipmunks will truly amaze you. Here are some odd and interesting facts about chipmunks.

• The chipmunk is called the 'chipmunk' owing to the chipping noises this rodent species tend to make with their teeth.
• The Eastern chipmunk is considered to be larger than most of the western species of chipmunks.
• On an average, a single chipmunk is known to store as much as 8 lbs of food in its burrow.
• Chipmunks are believed to have a lifespan on 2-3 years in the wild and 5-8 years in captivity.
• A species of chipmunks, the Eastern Chipmunks usually mate twice a year - during early spring and during summer or early fall.
• Yet another species, the Red-tailed Chipmunk is known to indulge in a dirt bath as a favorite pass time.
• The Panamint Chipmunk species are found in areas of high heat and barren conditions wherein no other chipmunk species can possibly survive.
• The Eastern chipmunk has two grinding teeth less than other species of chipmunks.
• On an average, the chipmunks tend to take around 75 breaths per minute.
• A chipmunk can carry approximately nine nuts in its mouth at a time.
• Chipmunks are believed to communicate through a series of noises, body posturing and scents emitted from their scent glands.

This was a brief account of chipmunks habitat and some interesting facts about these cute animals. With so many fascinating things to their credit, it's not surprising to see that chipmunks have also become a part of popular culture. They do seem to have something in them, after all not many members of the animal kingdom have made it big in Hollywood.