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The eastern chipmunk defends its burrow and lives a solitary life, except during mating season. In fact, the chipmunk's solitary existence has been noted by author and scientist Lawrence Wishner as "one of the most characteristic behavioral features of the chipmunk".
This new image, which is entirely digital (Photoshop), maps out a typical burrow of an eastern chipmunk. My primary reference was a study called “Social Behavior and Foraging Ecology of the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) in the Adirondack Mountains,” by Lang Elliot, and published by the Smithsonian Institution in 1978.
Eastern chipmunks live in burrows, which they dig themselves. A typical burrow of this animal is composed of numerous entrances as well as tunnels, which are connected to each other. They construct their nests out of crushed or chewed leaves in a large chamber.
A chipmunk may dig part of the burrow system using its forefeet and cheek pouches to loosen and transport soil, but the renovation of old root channels and existing burrows of other mammals is the primary method of burrow construction.
Chipmunk burrows typically measure 2-3 inches wide and are different from mole tunnels or ant hills by being level with the ground and lacking raised mounds of soil. Inside, these burrows form intricate dwellings for chipmunks, featuring multiple entrances.
Chipmunks are found in urban and rural habitats alike, the eastern chipmunk prefers open woodlands or forest edges, with plenty of cover and dry hillsides for digging burrows. The chipmunk is most active in early morning and late afternoon, gathering and storing seeds, nuts, acorns and berries.
Eastern chipmunks are solitary (live alone) and construct burrows underground consisting of a series of tunnels. These burrows contain one main chamber but may have several entrances. The main chamber is generally lined with crushed or chewed leaves and used as a place to raise the young.
Eastern chipmunks are somewhat tolerant of humans and will sometimes burrow under buildings. Their burrow is excavated less than one meter below the surface and has interconnected galleries up to 10 meters in length.
Eastern chipmunks usually live underground in burrows, especially during the cold winter months. Throughout their lives, they keep adding tunnels to their main burrow, creating an extensive network. By the onset of winter, they have stored enough food in their burrows to last the cold weather.
Eastern chipmunk males emerge from winter burrows with testes inlarged and scrotal, and cluster near the burrow system of a female on her day of estrus. Gestation lasts for one month. Litter size averages three to five young that are born in either early spring or in mid-summer.