Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Mammals

Chipmunk

Chipmunks are small striped squirrels in the squirrel family, found mainly in North America.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Chipmunks are small, striped ground squirrels known for their cheek pouches and food-hoarding habits. Found mainly in North America, they are common in forests, parks, and backyards across Canada.

What it is

Chipmunks are rodents in the squirrel family, with 25 species, 24 of which are native to North America. They are about 4–7 inches long with a 3–5 inch tail, typically brown or grey with dark and light stripes on the back and face. Their large cheek pouches help them carry food.

Key details

Chipmunks live in burrows, dens, hollow logs, or tree-root cavities across forests, plains, mountains, and deserts. They are omnivores that eat seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, insects, and other small animals. Many species hibernate or remain inactive in winter, relying on stored food caches.

In Canada

Chipmunks are a familiar part of Canadian wildlife. The eastern chipmunk is common in central and eastern Canada, while other species occupy western regions. They are often seen in forests, parks, and suburban areas, gathering food and using their cheek pouches.

In short

  • Small striped ground squirrels, mainly in North America.
  • Use cheek pouches to carry food to burrows.
  • Omnivores that cache food for winter.
  • Many hibernate during cold months.
Canadian angle

Chipmunks are familiar mammals across much of Canada, especially the eastern chipmunk in the east and western species in other regions. They are common in forests, parks, and suburban areas, making them a well-known part of Canadian wildlife.[2][8][10]

Quick questions

What is a chipmunk?
A chipmunk is a small striped squirrel in the rodent order, known for cheek pouches and food-storing behaviour.
How many chipmunk species are there?
Sources state there are 25 species of chipmunk, with 24 native to North America.
Do chipmunks hibernate?
Many chipmunks hibernate or remain inactive during cold weather, spending much of winter in their dens.

Sources

  1. National Geographic Kids — https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/chipmunk
    Supports: Species count, diet, size, lifespan, habitat, hibernation, food caching, reproduction
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/chipmunk
    Supports: Definition of chipmunk as a genus of small striped squirrels with cheek pouches; species count
  3. Havahart — https://www.havahart.com/chipmunk-facts
    Supports: Genera/classification, North American range, Siberian chipmunk exception
  4. Pennsylvania Game Commission — https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pgc/wildlife/discover-pa-wildlife/chipmunk
    Supports: Diet, lifespan, size
  5. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection — https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Chipmunk
    Supports: Size, omnivory, eastern chipmunk range including southeastern Canada
  6. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/chipmunk.html
    Supports: Habitat, strips, food items, eastern and least chipmunk notes