Eastern Chipmunk
For centuries, they have entertained nature lovers
young and old. What appears to be nervous mischief and daring
bravery on their part has captured the heart of many a
cartoonist. And some might even call it woeful to spend a
weekend in a state or National Park without encountering at
least one.
Before you get too confused, let me set you straight – we’re not
reminiscing park rangers, but rather the delightful eastern
chipmunk
In Oklahoma, this species primarily is found, as one might
assume from its name, in the eastern part of the state. Eastern
Oklahoma, in actuality, is the western fringe of the eastern
chipmunk’s natural range. It finds a special niche the rocky
hillsides and dry ravines of the beautiful Ozark hills habitat.
Chipmunks, like most small rodents, are burrowers. They prefer
openings beneath protected locations such as logs or rocks, with
a dugout chamber for a nest. They are commonly confused with
Oklahoma’s 13-lined ground squirrel. To the casual observer,
both appear reddish-brown or tan, with conspicuous dark stripes
alternating with gray or brown. Their under parts are white or
buff. Also, both use cheek pouches inside their mouth to carry
food. When filled to capacity, each pouch can expand almost as
large as the animal’s head, giving the impression of just
returning from a dentist’s office where your wisdom teeth were
removed.
Yet several characteristics set these two species apart. The
lines on a chipmunk extend the entire length of the body, from
nose to tail. The ground squirrel only bear lines on the
midsection of its back. A chipmunk also is noticeably smaller,
it ears more prominent, and its tail less bushy than that of the
ground squirrel.
The eastern chipmunk subsists on small nuts, weed seeds and
small fruit. Interestingly, it’s a successful carnivore too. It
is well documented that this species sometimes feeds on a
considerable amount of insects. Instinctively, these rodents
store food within their burrows. These caches help sustain this
species are usually in stock at all times.
Chipmunks are as popular with campground visitors as campground
visitors are with chipmunks. What camping area would be complete
without a few of these furry critters dashing from rock to rock?
Although timid when first approached, chipmunks soon lose their
fear once they associate people with an easy source of food. But
this cornucopia of potato chips and hot dog buns may do harm
more than good. Other than the obvious lack of nutritional
value, chipmunks become all-too-accustomed to handouts from well
meaning campers. Often, this junco food is taken back to the
burrow and added to the food cache. However, if it is not eaten
soon, these human morsels can spoil an entire winter’s food
supply.
Some individuals hibernate through the cold months, but spend
the winter deep in their burrows; awake but lethargic, waiting
to resume their active pace above ground once warmer
temperatures return.
Mating occurs about 10 to 20 days after chipmunks become active
each spring. This may happen sooner or later depending on
seasonal weather patterns and conditions. Gestation lasts
approximately 30 days, after which female selects a grass-lined
section of the burrow where five to six young will be born.
At birth, each is naked and only about two inches long. They are
weaned at about five weeks, but remain with the female for
several more months. Young chipmunks reach sexual maturity when
less than a year old. The average life span is about five years,
which is fairly long for a rodent. However, this species is so
fleet-footed and wary that it is not easily captured by
predators.
On any given warm and sunny afternoon, whether you’re deer
hunting deep in the Ozark hardwoods or picnicking in an eastern
Oklahoma campground, you are sure to hear the contented chirps
of one of our most endearing watchable wildlife species – the
eastern chipmunk