ABSTRACT
Chipmunks occur in a variety of habitats in North America; the genus Tamias is restricted primarily to the eastern deciduous forests, whereas the genus Eutamias lives in several types of habitats in the western half of the continent. Chipmunks are semifossorial, using burrow systems with rather simple underground structure as home sites. In contrast to ground squirrels which accumulate body fat prior to winter inactivity, chipmunks cache food in burrow systems in autumn and exhibit little gain in weight. Most species of chipmunks produce a single litter per year, and breeding typically occurs as early as spring weather conditions permit. However, in southern latitudes, Tamias may breed twice annually, and the seasonal timing of reproduction is precise and independent of local weather conditions.
