Chipmunks

Chipmunks are tiny, energetic rodents with stripes on their backs. They are found mostly in North America. Chipmunks are known for stuffing their cheeks with food. They store food underground to eat during winter.

Cheek Pouches

Chipmunks have stretchy cheek pouches that can expand to three times the size of their head. They fill their cheeks with nuts, seeds, and berries. Then they carry the food to their underground burrow. A chipmunk can gather thousands of nuts in one fall season.

Underground Homes

Chipmunks dig burrows that can be over 10 feet long. The burrows have separate rooms for sleeping, storing food, and going to the bathroom. In winter, chipmunks enter a light sleep and wake up to eat from their food stash.

Fun Facts

• A chipmunk can gather up to 165 acorns in a single day.
• Chipmunk burrows can have tunnels up to 30 feet long.
• There are 25 species of chipmunks, and 24 of them live in North America.

Did You Know?

Chipmunks help forests grow! They bury nuts and seeds but forget where some are hidden. Those forgotten seeds sprout into new trees and plants.