Cons: Can decimate gardens and cause structural damage under patios, porch stairs, walls and foundations. They disperse seeds while feeding, and aerate and recycle soil through burrowing. Some tunnels can reach 30 feet in length.Ĭhipmunk pros: Important food source for predators including hawks, snakes, weasels, foxes and coyotes. The burrow structure is a network of tunnels and chambers about 3 feet underground. They first nibble off the rough edges of seeds and nuts before holding them in their cheeks. Cheek pouches Can expand to three times the size of their head and are used to store food for transport. Two black stripes with white in the center run down the sides of the body.
One black stripe runs down the center of back. Lively and speedy during the warmer months, they are most active during the day, gathering food for the winter. Living a solitary existence, males and females only come together to mate. This local rodent, a small member of the squirrel family, is found in forests, shrub and rock-covered areas, as well as urban parks. While we trudge through the Illinois winter landscape, the eastern chipmunk is warm and snug in its nest below ground. See last month's critter, the red fox, here. Scroll down to post your own drawings, photos and videos and vote for an upcoming critter. The critter series: Each month, an Illinois animal making itself known in our yards, gardens and neighborhoods will be featured. Critter of the month: The eastern chipmunk
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