The English language features a variety of collective nouns used to describe groups of animals. While terms such as a herd of elephants or a flock of birds are commonly known, the designated group name for some species remains obscure. The small, striped chipmunk, a familiar sight across North America, is one such animal whose collective noun is rarely discussed.
The Collective Noun for Chipmunks
When referring to a group of chipmunks, the formal collective noun is a “scurry.” This designation is not commonly found in biological literature or everyday conversation. While the exact historical derivation of “scurry” is often unclear, many such collective nouns originated centuries ago in hunting or observational contexts.
The term likely entered the lexicon as a linguistic novelty rather than a description of actual social behavior. It serves primarily as a piece of trivia rather than a descriptor of a common natural occurrence. The name “scurry” is fitting for these quick, darting rodents, though it is also sometimes used for squirrels. Some sources also suggest the term “chattering” due to the highly vocal nature of these small rodents, although “scurry” is the more frequently cited formal name.
Solitary Life and Interaction Patterns
The reason the term “scurry” is so rarely used lies in the fundamental ecology and behavior of the chipmunk. Outside of the brief breeding season, these animals are largely solitary, preferring to live and forage alone. They are highly territorial, actively defending their home range and the entrance to their elaborate burrow systems from rivals, using aggressive vocalizations and physical chases to maintain boundaries.
A single chipmunk will construct a complex underground network that can include separate chambers for sleeping, waste disposal, and food storage. This independent lifestyle is driven by the necessity of hoarding substantial food caches, often referred to as larders, to sustain them through winter torpor. The survival of the individual depends entirely on the security and maintenance of their personal burrow and its contents.
The only sustained social interaction occurs between a mother and her young, which typically remain with her for only a few weeks after they emerge from the nest. Once weaned, the young disperse quickly to establish their own individual territories, minimizing competition for resources. This behavior contrasts sharply with truly social rodents, such as prairie dogs or some ground squirrels, which live in large, cooperative colonies with shared defense and foraging duties.