You'll never guess who I ran into in the backyard the other day - a chipmunk! Well, actually it was a whole family of chipmunks that have taken up residence under the old tree stump near my bushes. I've seen the occasional squirrel or bird around the yard before, but this was my first time seeing chipmunks up close. They're quite small and cute with their striped backs and chunky little bodies. I must have startled them when I went out to do some weeding because all of a sudden there were three tiny chipmunks frantically running around, trying to gather acorns and stash them in their cheeks. It was honestly one of the most entertaining things I've seen in a while!
After that first encounter, I started keeping a closer eye out and noticed the chipmunks come and go throughout the day. In the mornings they're scurrying around gathering food, and it seems like late afternoon is when they really stock up - those pouches get so full it looks like their little cheeks are going to explode! I even spotted the momma chipmunk a few times carrying babies on her back. It must be exhausting being a chipmunk parent. They work so hard gathering provisions to store up for winter. From what I've read, a chipmunk's home - or drey - can contain hundreds of acorns and seeds to keep them fed when the weather turns cold. Pretty impressive for such a tiny rodent.
Out of curiosity, I did some research on chipmunks online since I had so many questions. For one thing, I never realized there were different species of chipmunk. The ones in my yard have stripes all the way down their backs and are called Eastern Chipmunks. They range throughout eastern North America from Canada down to the southeastern states. Apparently the chipmunks out west look similar but have fewer stripes. I also learned that chipmunks are diurnal, which means they're active during the day unlike nocturnal squirrels. This must be why I always seem to spot them scurrying around in the daylight hours rather than at night.
Another interesting fact is that chipmunks don't hibernate, but they do slow way down in the winter and mostly hole up in their dreys unless the weather is mild. They rely on the stores of food they've collected to get them through the freezing months. It's no wonder they work so hard in the fall! chipmunks inhabit forests as well as suburban backyards like mine. As long as there's plenty of cover from shrubs, logs or rock piles, chipmunks will set up a home. They really don't seem to mind humans at all since the ones in my yard hardly pay me any attention as they go about their business foraging.
All in all, observing these energetic little chipmunks has been very entertaining. Just when I think I've learned all there is to know about them, they continue to surprise me with new behaviors. The other day I witnessed two chipmunks chasing each other around the yard in what looked like a play fight. I'm no chipmunk expert so I can only imagine what they were up to! The antics of these tiny forest creatures never cease to amuse me. While I don't want an infestation of them in the house, I'm happy to share my yard with the local chipmunk family. Maybe I'll even give them some sunflower seeds as a snack next time I'm outside. Who knows, they may come to think of me as a friend instead of just another giant human!
In summary, keeping an eye out for chipmunks in your own yard can provide hours of enjoyable wildlife watching. These industrious little rodents work hard all day gathering acorns and other goods to stow away for winter hibernation. If you're lucky enough to spot a chipmunk family like I have, you're sure to be captivated by their charming scurrying ways. Next time you're doing some gardening or relaxing outside, see if any chipmunks come out to say hello!