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Home > Coniferous Forest Animals > Siberian Chipmunk

Siberian Chipmunk

Siberian chipmunk is a species of rodents native to northern Asia. The omnivorous species was introduced in Europe as pets in the 1960s, and now it is available in many European countries.

Siberian Chipmunk Range

Siberian Chipmunk Range

Scientific Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilySciuridae
GenusEutamias
Scientific NameEutamias sibiricus

Quick Information

Other NamesCommon Chipmunk
Size18 to 25 cm
Weight50 to 150 g
ColorYellow to brown fur on the back, chest and belly has white fur; four light and five dark colored stripes on the back; light brown tail with broad black lines and white edges
DistributionSiberian Russia, Eastern Kazakhstan, northern Mongolia, northwest, central and northeast China, Korea, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy
HabitatStony areas within coniferous , deciduous and mixed forests, mountains, urban areas with greenery
Vocalizations/Sounds A fast “cheep” used  as an alarm call; a deep croaking sound  used for mating
 Lifespan2 to 5 years; captive chipmunks can survive for 6 to 10 years
DietThey eat conifer seeds, herb roots, insects, birds, reptiles, mollusks, fruits, grains, and fungus
AdaptationsInternal cheek pouches help them in carrying food; needle-pointed claws assist in climbing trees
Number of Offspring3 to 8 babies
Breeding SeasonMiddle of April
Gestation Period28 to 35 days
PredatorsRaptors, weasels, small cats, foxes, hawks, owls
Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Siberian Chipmunk Images

Siberian Chipmunk Images

Siberian Chipmunk Pet

Siberian Chipmunk Pet

Behavior

Siberian Chipmunks generally lead solitary lives, but during the winter they dig burrows which they share with another member. They do not live in fixed colonies, but each individual has its own territory which is marked by urine and oral glands. They hibernate during the winter, storing 3 to 4 kg of food to survive underground till April or May.

Siberian Chipmunk Pictures

Siberian Chipmunk Pictures

Siberian Chipmunks

Siberian Chipmunks

Mating and Reproduction

They give birth to live young and tend to reproduce once or twice a year.

Lifecycle

The newborns are blind and naked and open their eyes in around 20 to 25 days after birth. The females take care of the babies and teach them how to forage in around six weeks. By seven weeks, the weaning period is over, and the young ones become independent by eight weeks. Both male and female reach sexual maturity at nine months of age.

Baby Siberian Chipmunk

Baby Siberian Chipmunk

Siberian Chipmunk Tail

Siberian Chipmunk Tail

Interesting Facts

  • Siberian Chipmunk, the only living member of its genus, is the only chipmunk occurring outside North America.
  • The species aids forests grow and regenerate by dispersing seeds and fungal spores.
  • It helps in controlling pests in its environment, thus helping in species diversity.
  • The species is kept as pets and commonly sold for fur or other body parts.
  • It poses threat to humans as the animal is known to eat crops. Another potential threat lies in the animal’s ability to carry diseases, like Lyme disease which can cause harm to humans.
Siberian Chipmunk Teeth

Siberian Chipmunk Teeth

Siberian Chipmunk

Siberian Chipmunk

References

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberian_chipmunk
  2. http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tamias_sibiricus/
  3. https://www.borealforest.org/siberian-chipmunk/
  4. https://eol.org/pages/313026

Published on November 30th 2016 by Sajal Datta under Coniferous Forest Animals.
Article was last reviewed on 5th December 2024.

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