Information
The
chipmunk is a terrestrial type of squirrel, meaning
that it lives underground and emerges only by necessity.
The name chipmunk comes from the Native American word
chitmunk which describes the way in which the animal
climbs down from trees head first. The lifespan of the
Eastern Chipmunk is approximately three years and much
of this time is spent digging extensive burrow systems.
The chipmunk has two types of burrows: short, simple
tunnels used for quick escapes from predators, and more
complex systems with tunnels extending more than 30
feet in each direction from the main entrance. The longer
tunnels include nesting chambers, long term food storage
areas and several exits. The home range of the chipmunk
is typically about 250 sq. yards, but can increase to
5000 sq. yards when food is scarce.
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