Common chipmunk
The Siberian chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus ), also called common chipmunk is native to northern Asia from central Russia to China, Korea, and Hokkaidō in northern Japan. It was imported from South Korea and introduced in Europe as a pet in the 1960s.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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ZoochoryZoochory animals are those that can disperse plant seeds in several ways. Seeds can be transported on the outside of vertebrate animals (mostly mam...
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FossorialA fossorial animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, ...
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ScansorialScansorial animals are those that are adapted to or specialized for climbing. Many animals climb not only in tress but also in other habitats, such...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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HibernatingHibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy charac...
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starts withSiberian chipmunk is an adorable, small squirrel that is currently a very popular pet species. This rodent is identified by 5 dark and 4 light bands, stretching down its back. The overall coloration of its coat is yellow to brown. The chest and belly exhibit white colored fur. In spite of its small mouth, the animal has large, extensile pouches on tis cheeks, which expand as much as 3 times the size of its head.
Siberian chipmunk has a rather large natural range, stretching throughout northern Asia from central Russia to China, Korea, reaching Hokkaidō in northern Japan. In addition, the species occurs in Eastern Europe, mainly due to individuals that have escaped from captivity. Preferred habitat of this rodent is the forest floor with thick vegetative cover. Other suitable habitats include rocky outcroppings as well as house foundations and other human-made structures.
Siberian chipmunks are mainly solitary creatures, except for the winter months, when they are often found in groups, sharing a single burrow. Siberian chipmunks are diurnal animals, resting by night. During the winter, these rodents undergo periods of torpor. They usually store winter food supply, waking up from their torpor every few weeks to eat. These rodents bury their food supplies approximately 5 cm underground. They are very clean animals, spending a lot of their active time cleaning their bodies from the back to the tail. Bathing each other is a common activity in this species. Communication occurs through two types of vocalizations: when threatened, they emit a fast, bird-like "cheeping" sound that lasts 1.5 seconds; and a deep croaking sound. Although the purpose of the latter in unknown, it's likely to be used during the mating season. There is an unproven opinion that they may also use visual and scent cues.
As omnivorous animals, Siberian chipmunks feed upon a wide variety of food, including seeds, grains, fungi, fruits and vegetables, supplementing this diet with occasional lizards, insects and small species of bird.
The reproductive system of this species is unknown, although chipmunks and squirrels and typically polygynandrous (promiscuous). Breeding starts in mid-April. Gestation period lasts for 28 - 35 days, yielding a litter of 3 - 8 young. Females usually produce single litter per year. However, those in Europe may yield another litter during the summer months. Males take no part in rearing their offspring that are born with closed eyes, which open only at 20 - 25 days old. At 5 weeks old, the young go out foraging for food with their mother. Weaning occurs at 7 weeks old. After a short while (usually, by 8 weeks old), young are independent. They disperse to find their own territories. Both males and females become mature at 9 months of age.
The biggest threat to this species has to do with human activity. Population in Hokkaido Island (Japan) is likely to hybridize with feral continental individuals, which primarily concerns those in urban areas. On the other hand, chipmunks in Korea and the mainland Asia are imported as a popular pet species. And finally, Siberian chipmunks suffer from natural wildfires that occasionally take place in certain parts of their range.
According to IUCN, the Siberian chipmunk is relatively abundant and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) and its numbers remain stable.
On one hand, due to their 'burying and forgetting' habit, these rodents are key seed distributers of their range. Along with other chipmunks, they disperse spores of forest fungi. On the other hand, Siberian chipmunks are an important prey species for many of the local predators.
