Befriending Chipmunks

The Summer of 2017 was my first year without any cats.

Last Summer my old Kitty Squeeker ( 19 yrs. old ) crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

I made a new friend this summer, Chip the Chipmunk. I've always loved the

little creatures and found them most adorable, but Cats aren't very nice

to Chipmunks, but this Spring knowing they weren't in danger I started feeding 

them piles of sunflower seeds. Watching them was such a delight. Before long they were eating from my hand........now one, Chip, climbs all over me

for grapes, blueberries, walnuts, pecans and raw peanuts. ( we steal from my Husband's peanut brittle stash kept in the freezer)

( Click the images to enlarge)

Chipmunk Habitat

Chipmunks feel most at home in areas with plenty of ground cover, including logs, trees, stumps, shrubs and rocks. While the ideal habitat for chipmunks is a deciduous forest, woodland or brushland, they’re also comfortable in other areas that provide sufficient cover such as urban parks, fence lines, hedges and houses.

Chipmunks dig extensive burrow systems directly underneath or next to natural or manmade cover. They dig two types of burrows: shallow burrows in which they seek refuge while foraging during the day, and deeper, more complex burrows where they nest, store food and spend most of the winter months. Chipmunks rarely venture further than 1/3 mile from their burrows at any time.

Activity:

 Chipmunks are active in the daytime during spring, summer and fall. Chipmunks remain in their deep burrow systems during the winter, where they enter patterns of torpor (deep sleep and lower body temperature) interrupted by periods of feeding.

Reproduction:

 Breeding occurs twice per year - once in the spring and once in the summer - when chipmunks give birth to 4-5 babies at a time

Burrowing:

 Chipmunks dig their own pairs of burrows, excavating as deep as 3 feet underground. Burrows are typically dug directly underneath or next to cover, because a chipmunk always requires protection from predators. Oftentimes chipmunk burrows cause damage when dug next to a home foundation

Hoarding:

 To prepare for the winter hibernation period, chipmunks begin to stockpile nuts and seeds in their burrows during late summer and early fall.

Communication:
 Chipmunks are protective of their burrows and use a range of loud chirps as well as body language to express occupied territory, dominance, or warn their young of danger. Females also have a mating call for which they use their high-pitched, bird-like vocalizations.

Fun Facts
One tiny chipmunk can gather up to 165 acorns in one day.
Chipmunks have pouches inside of their cheeks in which they store food when foraging.
The main entrance of a chipmunk burrow can extend up to 20 feet in length.
A group of chipmunks is called a scurry.

I found this 3lb. bag of walnuts at Sams Club for $12.95. Considering the price of bird seed it's a bargain.

Today was quite the challange......both Zip & Chip decided they would have 
lunch with me in the chair.  Delicate situation.......the little rascals are 
very territorial.

We're eating walnuts by the handfulls today !

Zip's been gone but was back today......

8-11.17

Today's cheeks are full