Chipmunks are small, active rodents often observed scurrying across forest floors and suburban yards. They are indeed present in North Carolina, contributing to the state’s natural ecosystems. This article explores their presence, preferred habitats, distinct features, and daily activities within the state.
Chipmunk Presence in North Carolina
The Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the sole species native to North Carolina. This species is widespread across much of the eastern United States, extending from southern Canada to the Gulf states, though it tends to avoid the coastal plains in the Carolinas and Georgia. North Carolina represents the southeastern edge of their range along the East Coast.
Where Chipmunks Reside in North Carolina
Eastern Chipmunks are commonly found throughout North Carolina’s mountains and Piedmont regions. Their populations are particularly abundant in the Appalachian mountains and common in some foothills ranges. While present in the central and northern Piedmont, their populations can be scattered and are generally uncommon in many southeastern and far northeastern Piedmont areas. The species is typically absent from the Coastal Plain, especially south of Albemarle Sound and areas southeast of Wake County, though recent observations suggest potential expansion or “hitchhiking” into coastal areas like Wilmington.
These chipmunks prefer open deciduous forests, particularly those with ample ground cover such as brush piles, logs, and rocky outcrops. They also inhabit forest edges, brushlands, hedgerows, and can adapt to suburban environments, especially where wooded areas are present. Their preference for drier, stable soil for burrowing explains their reduced presence in the sandy Coastal Plain. Burrows are often situated near rocks, at the base of trees, or under buildings.
Identifying North Carolina Chipmunks
Eastern Chipmunks are small mammals, typically measuring 8 to 10 inches long, including a 3 to 4-inch tail. Their fur is reddish-brown on their back and sides, with a white underside. A prominent black stripe runs down the center of their back, flanked by two additional black stripes on each side, bordered by white or buffy stripes. Lighter stripes also appear above and below their eyes and on their cheeks.
Their tail is moderately furred and somewhat flattened, but not as bushy as a squirrel’s tail. Chipmunks possess large cheek pouches, capable of holding a substantial amount of nuts or seeds, a feature often used to distinguish them. Unlike tree squirrels, which are larger and lack body stripes, chipmunks are smaller and spend most of their time foraging on the ground. Ground squirrels also have body stripes but typically lack the stripes on their heads that chipmunks possess.
Chipmunk Habits and Food Sources
Eastern Chipmunks are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. They are solitary animals, generally defending the area around their burrows, though their home ranges may overlap. These animals construct elaborate underground burrow systems, which include nesting chambers and storage rooms for food. The burrow entrance is often inconspicuous, about two inches in diameter, and they carry excavated soil away in their cheek pouches to hide the entrance.
Their diet is omnivorous and varied, consisting primarily of nuts, seeds, berries, and fruits. They also consume mushrooms, insects, earthworms, slugs, bird eggs, and small amphibians. Chipmunks gather large quantities of food, storing it in their underground caches to sustain them through the winter months. While they do not truly hibernate, they enter a state of restless sleep, periodically waking to eat from their stored provisions.