Eastern Chipmunk

Tamias striatus

Also called Chipmunk

SpeciesShort profile

From Deciduous woodland, parks and gardens of the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada, from Nova Scotia west to Saskatchewan and south to Oklahoma.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Length25.5 to 30 cm1 2

Lifespan2 to 9 years2 3

Sizesmall

Very vocal and expressive

Expert food hoarder with cheek pouches

Active by day

1 2

Coat and looks how to spot one

Short fur with bold stripes and roomy cheek pouches

A compact, striped ground squirrel about 25 to 30 cm long including the tail. Its reddish-brown back carries five dark stripes alternating with lighter ones, and a yellowish to reddish patch brightens the rump. Pale and tawny stripes frame the face and eyes, the belly is white, and large cheek pouches let it carry food home. Wild chipmunks live 2 to 8 years and captive ones about 8 to 9.1 2 3

ColoursReddish-brown backFive dark stripes alternating with light onesYellowish to reddish rumpWhite underpartsStriped face1 2

Personality what they are like

A busy, chatty daytime forager that is independent by nature and likes a territory of its own. It is curious and quick, and spends much of its time gathering and storing food.1 2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Most active mid-morning and mid-afternoon. A ground dweller that climbs well, it likes to dig, climb and forage. In captivity chipmunks are reported to sleep around 15 hours a day.2 3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Needs no coat grooming. It hoards food in larders, so check stores and remove anything stale.2 3

Home where they are happiest

Wild chipmunks dig burrows with long tunnels and several entrances and like cover such as logs, stumps and rocks. A spacious, secure enclosure with places to dig, climb and hide reflects these habits.1 2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Mainly plant-based: seeds, nuts, fruit, bulbs, mushrooms and green plants, with insects, worms and slugs as extras.1 2

Company who they like around

Solitary and territorial outside the breeding season, so it is generally kept on its own.1 2

The story where it all began

Linnaeus first named the species Sciurus striatus, the striped squirrel, and in 1811 Johann Illiger moved it to Tamias, meaning 'steward' after its food storing. The common name 'chipmunk' comes from an Indigenous Algonquian language, with sources pointing to Ojibwe or Odawa words.1 3

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It has five main calls: the chip, chuck, trill, whistle or squeal, and chatter, and can trill about 130 times a minute.1
2
Its genus name Tamias means 'steward', a nod to its habit of storing food.1
3
By burying and storing seeds, chipmunks help new plants to sprout.3
4
Its cheek pouches let it carry loads of food back to its burrow.4

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Wild species assessed as Least Concern1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Eastern Chipmunk. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Fresh food and waterevery day
Spot cleanevery day
Full cleanevery week
EnrichmentNew things to explore every dayevery day
Nails checkevery month
Weigh inevery 2 weeks
Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year

Tell me when it launches

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Eastern Chipmunk?

Feed your chipmunk daily with fresh food and water. Furry Diary's starting plan is to offer fresh food and water every day. Check the food label and ask your vet for the right amount.1 2 Furry Diary plan

What should an Eastern Chipmunk eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Your chipmunk mainly eats seeds, nuts, fruit, bulbs, mushrooms, green plants, insects, worms and slugs. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, caffeine, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, and xylitol, as listed by the ASPCA.1 2 5

Should I bathe an Eastern Chipmunk?

No, you should not bathe your chipmunk. It keeps itself clean and bathing can stress it. Just provide a clean habitat and spot-clean daily.2 3 Furry Diary plan

Does an Eastern Chipmunk need brushing?

No, your chipmunk needs no coat grooming at all. It has short fur and grooms itself. Just check its food stores and remove anything stale.2 3

How do I look after an Eastern Chipmunk's nails and teeth?

Check your chipmunk's nails monthly and ask a vet experienced with exotic pets if they need trimming. Its teeth stay healthy with a proper diet and chew toys. Never try to trim teeth yourself.2 Furry Diary plan

How much space and exercise does an Eastern Chipmunk need?

Your chipmunk needs a spacious, secure enclosure with places to dig, climb and hide, reflecting its wild burrow habits. It is most active mid-morning and mid-afternoon, so provide daily enrichment like new things to explore.1 2 3 Furry Diary plan

Should an Eastern Chipmunk live alone or with friends?

Your chipmunk is solitary and territorial outside the breeding season, so it is generally kept on its own. It likes a territory of its own and is independent by nature.1 2

How long does an Eastern Chipmunk live?

In captivity, your chipmunk can live about 8 to 9 years, though wild ones live 2 to 8 years. With good care and regular vet checks, it can enjoy a long life.2 3

Is an Eastern Chipmunk a good pet for children?

Your chipmunk is busy, chatty and curious but independent and quick, so it may not be ideal for very young children. It needs gentle handling and a calm environment. Always supervise interactions.1 2

How do I hold an Eastern Chipmunk?

Handle your chipmunk gently and calmly, as it is quick and can be nervous. Let it come to you, and support its body fully. For specific techniques, ask a vet or a good breeder.1 2

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

Eastern chipmunk - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for size, coat, behaviour, calls, diet, naming history
Animal Diversity Web - Tamias striatus animaldiversity.orgused for range, size, weight, lifespan, behaviour, diet
Chipmunk - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for captive sleep, captive lifespan, etymology, hoarding
en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.