Mothers Day Mammal Monday

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I've posted about chipmunks before and recently, but this is the perfect Mothers Day Mammal Monday video, so roll 'em!

Mammal Monday -- Chipmunks!

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I don't think I've ever visited a place in the U.S. where I didn't see chipmunks (I found the little guy above in Bryce Canyon Utah).  That's probably because there are 25 species of chipmunks and only one of those species is found outside of North America (the Siberian chipmunk, but it's not just found in Siberia...)  Unlike their grey squirrel cousins, chipmunks are ground-dwelling squirrels that live in burrows.  We're not seeing many chipmunks this time of year, but come spring they'll be active again, collecting food and getting ready for mating season in late spring and fall.  They're omnivores and "crepuscular," which means they're most active at dusk and dawn. 

I've noticed that chipmunks make little sounds whenever I see them, so I did a little checking.  It seems that, like birds, they use different vocalizations at different times.  Check out this research:

Want to learn more about chipmunks?  Check out this earlier post!

Mammal Monday -- Chipmunks!

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There's been a bumper crop of chipmunks in my neighborhood this year.  They're not endangered (yay!), so let's learn a few fun facts about chipmunks:

• They come in many shapes and sizes!  There are 25 chipmunk species in the world, with only one of those species found outside of North America (that would be Asia's Eutamias sibiricus). The largest species is the eastern chipmunk, which can get to 11 inches and weigh up to 4.4 ounces.  (From National Geographic)
• They're solitary, but then they're not!  Chipmunks usually live alone, unless it's time to breed.  Gestation takes about 30 days and offspring stay with the mother for about 2 months.  The females are in heat for about 6-7 hours and mate with several males during this time.  They produce litters of between 2-9 young, and they can give birth twice per season -- once in April to June and once in August to September.  (From SUNY-ESF)
• Unlike their cousins the grey squirrel, they don't live in trees!  Nope, these little guys live in burrows underground.  They hibernate in these burrows from late Fall until Spring and they store food for the winter in these burrows, rather than hibernating and living off body fat. (SUNY-ESF and National Geographic)
• They play an important role in the ecosystem!  During their 8 years of life (although most don't live past 2 or 3 years), chipmunks have an important role to play (what scientists call their "niche").  They're omnivores, eating both plant materials and insects, and they're a prey species for many organisms that eat higher on the food chain.  

And did I mention, they're cuuuute?!