By josie
January 6th, 2023
Chipmunks are small woodland rodents from North America and have been documented as far back as the early 1900s.
Over 25 species of chipmunks can be found worldwide in various habitats, ranging from woodlands, tundras and even urban areas.
The earliest squirrels were much larger than their modern-day peers but evolved to become what we witness today.
They have adapted their behaviors to changing climate events, surviving from icy cold to warmer periods.
Chipmunks are smaller than squirrels, measuring 8 to 10 inches long
They weigh around 2 to 5 ounces.
Squirrels measure 16 to 21 inches in length.
They weigh as much as 1 – 1.5 pounds.
Their fur coat is a reddish brown with a white belly and distinct stripes on their backs.
Squirrels are gray in color with a darker tail and a white chest.
Chipmunks can be observed foraging for nuts and seeds and eating insects, fungi, and other small animals.
They are primarily diurnal feeders who often store their food in cheek pouches to consume later at a safe location.
Squirrels feed on berries and nuts when they can find them in abundance but will also hunt eggs or lizards when available.
They may spend more time searching for food than the typical chipmunk since they have less access to their preferred sources of nutrition.
Chipmunks typically mate once a year, with females giving birth to an average of five pups each spring.
Males engage in ritualized fights with one another to find a mate.
Northern species like gray squirrels will usually mate twice annually, while southern species may do so three times per year.
Squirrels typically court each other through chasing games and vocalizations.