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Curious Clever Collectors

Written and Photographed by Sandie Lee

‘Chuck-chuck-chuck.’

What’s that sound? It seems to be coming from an old log just in front of you. As you search the forest floor, carefully drawing closer, the sound changes.

‘Chip-chip-chip.’

Now it’s fast and high-pitched. Suddenly, there’s a rustling of leaves and with lightening speed it zips past. You barely catch a glimpse of a small animal before it disappears down a hole. What was it?

CHARMING CHIPMUNKS

There is about twenty-one different species of chipmunks living all over the United States and Canada. These rodents are closely related to the squirrel. How can you be sure what you saw was a chipmunk? It’s easy. Chipmunks are smaller (8-10 inches long) and have black and white ‘racing’ stripes down their grey and reddish colored backs. Also, those weird hiccup-like noises you heard are unique to the chipmunk. It’s his way of trying to ‘scare’ you away form his home.

CHIPMUNK CHAMBERS

These hard-working rodents prefer to make their homes under the ground. They dig out long tunnels that lead to a sleeping chamber. Here, there’s a soft bed made from leaves, grasses or the fluff from seed heads. They also dig out another area to keep food in. Since chipmunks stay under the ground all winter long, they need to collect lots of food when the weather is warm.

CHEEKY CHIPMUNK

Have you ever stuffed so much food into your mouth that your cheeks puffed out? Chipmunk cheeks are extra stretchy so they can do just that. The chipmunk is constantly searching for his favorite foods of nuts, berries, acorns and seeds. They also like a bit of meat, so you may see them munching on bugs and worms as well.

Once his cheeks are full, he quickly bounds back to his den to unload his haul.  The chipmunk may have to travel a ways form the den to find food, so these built in ‘storage compartments’ come in handy.

The next time you’re at the park, in the woods or even in someone’s back yard, keep your eyes peeled and your ears perked. You never know, one of these cute little rascals might just pay you a visit.