On occasion, they eat food on the spot, often at a favorite stump or rock which becomes littered with broken nut shells and fruit seeds. These pouches are used when caching (to conceal or hide for future use) food for winter consumption and are emptied by squeezing them with their front feet. Chipmunks have specially adapted internal cheek pouches which allow them to carry large amounts of food at one time. Animal food consists of insects, worms, salamanders and occasionally star-nosed moles, young mice, small songbirds and frogs. Sometimes mushrooms, sunflower seeds, watermelon, apples and squash are also eaten. Acorns, beechnuts, seeds of woody plants, berries of American Yew, ragweed, wintergreen, Canada mayflower, clover and wild buckwheat are among the major plant foods consumed. You have probably heard the chipmunk’s loud “chuck, chuck, chuck” call.Ĭhipmunks are omnivorous, feeding on plant and animal material. Their defense is more vocal than violent. These rodents are highly aggressive toward intruders, and readily defend the immediate area around their den entrance. Excessive heat and inclement weather will hamper normal activities. Most activity, however, takes place during the cooler hours of the morning and afternoon. They are frequently seen in parks and around gardens and lawns.Ĭhipmunks seem more common than other members of the rodent order because they are diurnal (active during the day). In open stands with little or no cover, chipmunks are most often found on rocky hillsides and living in crevices of stone walls. The front teeth are chisel-shaped, a characteristic of all rodents.Ĭhipmunks inhabit deciduous (hardwood) forests where there is a thick vegetative understory and old logs or stone ledges. Their front feet are adapted for holding and eating food while sitting upright. Both sexes are alike in color and size, being 8 1/2 to 9 1/2 inches long and weighing 2 1/2 to 4 ounces. The flattened tail is well-haired, blackish above, rust below, and fringed in white or gray. The ears are short, rounded and held erect. Five black lines stripe the back: two on each side, separated by a white or buff band which contains the fifth black stripe down the middle of the back. Two white stripes, one above and one below the eye, adorn the short, round head. Chipmunks have characteristic markings that make them easy to distinguish from other members of the squirrel family. They are common from Quebec south to Florida and west to Louisiana and North Dakota. *note flying squirrels are protected and do not have a hunting season.Chipmunks are small ground dwelling rodents.Some species may be taken by hunting primarily to resolve nuisance or damage issues. They are active in the daytime and offer challenging hunting opportunities. This is mostly due to their size and the fact that they provide the most meat to a hunter. The two largest tree squirrels (fox and gray) are by far the most hunted species.Learn more about the southern flying squirrel.Learn more about the northern flying squirrel.The membrane helps these squirrels glide from tree to tree. They have a loose membrane of furred skin attached between their front and back legs. Unlike bats, flying squirrels do not really fly.They utilize the many cavities that are found in mature trees for nesting and winter denning. Flying squirrels are entirely nocturnal, inhabiting mature forests and parks, as well as other woodlands.The northern flying squirrel inhabits the northern Lower and Upper Peninsulas, while its close relative, the southern flying squirrel, inhabits the southern Lower Peninsula. Two species of flying squirrels are found in the state.Chipmunks, woodchucks and ground squirrels have dens underground and rarely spend time in trees. In Michigan, there are nine different species of squirrels! Fox, gray, red, and flying squirrels nest and spend most of their time in trees. (Contrary to popular belief, when Groundhog Day comes in February, most woodchucks are still hibernating and do not come out to see their shadow!) For example, woodchucks (groundhogs) are herbivores, eating vegetation, and spend the winter hibernating when food is unavailable. Some squirrels spend the winter hibernating. Squirrels eat a variety of foods such as seeds, nuts, fruits, flowers, clovers, insects, eggs, and even young birds. Squirrels vary in size and habitats preferences, but many squirrels can adapt to living near people. There are nine different species of squirrels that can be found in Michigan.
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