Siberian Chipmunk Factfile

Scientific Name : Tamius sibericus

World Distribution

Siberian chipmunks are found in Nn.Europe and Asia, including Japan.

Habitat

Siberian chipmunks live in various different climates but always in forests. They are very good climbers, with needle sharp claws to help them grip tree trunks and branches. However, they spend more of their time on the ground, where they build nests called "lodges" in which to hibernate during the winter.

Breeding

Depending on the climate, chipmunks have either one or two litters per year. In cold northern regions, only one litter of 3-6 young is born in June, whereas chipmunks living further south (where it is warmer) might have another litter later in the summer.

Feeding

Chipmunks are omnivorous, eating seeds, nuts and berries as well as insects, young birds and lizards. Before hibernating, they bury food 5cm deep in the ground, to store for when they wake up.

Predators

These include pine martins, birds of prey and lynx.

Other interesting facts

• Chipmunks make high-pitched chirping sounds which could almost be mistaken for the call of a bird. They make a number of different sounds, including a quick, sharp "cheep" repeated about 6 times when they are sss
• Different species of chipmunks live in America. They are generally a bit bigger than the Siberian chipmunk.
  
  

  Facts and Figures
  Name	Siberian chipmunk
  Type of animal	mammal
  Where found	Asia
  Habitat	forests
  Diet	omnivorous
  Average length	14 cn
  Average weight	0.55 kg
  Average number of young per year	5
  Gestation	42 days
  Maximum lifespan	8 years
  Note for Teachers

  
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