Chipmunks are small, striped members of the squirrel family that spend much of their time on or under the ground. These swift, diurnal rodents are easily recognized by the alternating light and dark stripes running down their backs and faces. Understanding their homes requires exploring their distribution across continents and the specific conditions they seek out. Their habitats reflect their need for protection, foraging opportunities, and a safe place to weather the colder months.
Geographical Range
The vast majority of chipmunk species are found exclusively across the North American continent, stretching from southern Canada down into west-central Mexico. Of the approximately 25 recognized species, 24 are native to this region. The Western United States hosts the highest number of species, with 23 different types inhabiting mountainous and forested regions.
The Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the most widespread species, found throughout the eastern half of the US and into southeastern Canada. The only species found outside of the Americas is the Siberian chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus), which inhabits a large territory across northern Asia, from central Russia to China and Japan.
Preferred Environmental Settings
Chipmunks are fundamentally ground-dwelling animals, and their choice of habitat is dictated by protective cover and food sources along the forest floor. They thrive in areas that offer a mix of shelter and foraging potential, such as deciduous or coniferous forests and woodlands, which provide necessary elements like seeds, nuts, and insects.
A suitable environment contains dense underbrush and natural debris like fallen logs, tree stumps, and rocky outcroppings. These features act as immediate, temporary shelter from predators, allowing the chipmunk to quickly dart to safety while foraging. Chipmunks are also highly adaptable and readily colonize suburban environments where gardens and hedges mimic forest edges by providing sufficient ground cover.
Details of the Burrow System
The physical home of the chipmunk is a complex, subterranean network designed for security, storage, and long-term residency. Unlike the conspicuous mounds created by moles, a chipmunk’s main burrow entrance is small—typically two to three inches in diameter—and is deliberately hidden without a visible dirt pile. This is achieved by the chipmunk carrying excavated soil away in its cheek pouches and scattering it far from the entrance to maintain camouflage.
The full burrow system can be extensive, sometimes reaching 30 feet in length and three feet underground. Within this network are several dedicated chambers connected by narrow tunnels. A main nesting chamber, lined with soft materials like leaves and grasses, serves as the primary resting and rearing area. Other chambers function as food pantries, where the chipmunk hoards nuts and seeds collected during active seasons to sustain it during winter torpor.