The eastern chipmunk has reddish-brown fur on its back and sides and white fur on its stomach. The chipmunk is a fun to watch as it scampers about, however, if it moves … The species ranges from Quebec south to northern Florida and Louisiana, and from the eastern seaboard west to Oklahoma, Kansas, the Dakotas and Saskatchewan. In Oregon, it occurs east of the Cascade Range except in the Columbia Basin and most of the Blue Mountains. Male and female chipmunks look alike. Sexes are the same size. Chipmunks feed at a raised spot such as on a stump, log, or rock. Snyder, D.P. A chipmunk’s head is blunt with rounded, erect ears. The least chipmunk has the largest geographic range of any chipmunk. Least chipmunks are active during the daylight hours. - NatureWorks Fun Facts - The chipmunk’s scientific name is a description of the animal’s appearance and behavior. 1938. Their distinctive striped brown and white coat, as well as their long, dark tail distinguishes them. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is a small, striped squirrel-like rodent found in North American woodlands. The back ones have five. It has two white stripes bordered by black on its sides and one black stripe on the center of its back. https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/eastern-chipmunk Tamias striatus. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is a very common and well-known rodent.It is a forest species, but is also very comfortable living around near people. Mamm., Mammalian Species No. Eastern chipmunks are the only species of chipmunk in the Eastern United States, which makes identification easier. Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus . Eastern Chipmunk Eastern chipmunks are one of 22 different species of chipmunks, which are members of the squirrel family. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is a very common and well-known rodent. Chipmunks are found in urban and rural habitats alike, the eastern chipmunk prefers open woodlands or forest edges, with plenty of cover and dry hillsides for digging burrows. Adult chipmunks are 8 to 10 inches long (including a 3- to 4-inch tail) and weigh 2½ to 4 ounces. 1982. The Eastern chipmunk looks a lot like a small, striped, reddish-brown squirrel with a white belly. Its distribution extends from southern Canada in the north to Louisiana and the Florida panhandle in the south, and from the middle United States in the west to Virginia and the western mountains of the Carolinas in the east. Tamias is Greek for “a storer” and striatus is Latin for “striped.” The chipmunk uses its cheek pouches to transport food to underground burrows or carry soil out. 168 8 pp. The chipmunk is most active in early morning and late afternoon, gathering and storing seeds, nuts, acorns and berries. The eastern chipmunk has light stripes above and below its eyes and it has pouched cheeks that it uses to store and carry food. Am. It is a forest species, but is also very comfortable living around near people. Allen, E.G. These rodents' front feet have four toes. Soc. In general, it is a chipmunk of the shrub-steppe, but sometimes it occurs at the edges of open forests. https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/eastern-chipmunk The chipmunk is a fun to watch as it scampers about; however, if it moves into a house, it can cause considerable damage. Some squirrels do have stripes, but chipmunks have five dark stripes and several white ones, some of which stretch onto the head. https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/Eastern_Chipmunk.aspx