Today's Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (by @zachweinersmith) is about belling every chipmunk in France. In related news, TIL there are chipmunks in France.
There are 25 extant species of chipmunks. None of them are native to France, but one has established populations there: meet the Siberian chipmunk, or common chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus).
Photo of a Siberian chipmunk in the forest of Sénart in France. Photo by Jean-Louis Chapuis, who did much of the work cited here. Thank you Jean-Louis.
This lil critter is the only species of chipmunk native to Asia. Its names in French are tamia de Sibérie, écureuil de Corée (a generic name for chipmunks in the pet trade), and bouroundouk.
In the 1960s through 1980s, it was sold as a pet. Released and escaped animals have been breeding in the wild since then. Most populations fail and disappear, but some are still going strong, mainly in parks and suburban forests in northern France.
There are between 9 and 11 such populations in France (and about as many in the rest of Europe). The largest had about 15 000 chipmunks when counted in… uhhh… the 2000s. (The text says 2008 but they cite a 2007 source, that I can't find online.) Three others have populations in the thousands, and two in the hundreds.
Map of the 10 Siberian chipmunk populations in France in 2004. Thank you Jean-Louis.
There aren't any studies of trends over the long term, but the largest populations seem roughly stable.
A few other species, like the Eastern chipmunk, were also sold as pets, but I haven't found any evidence of any still living in France.
I very much doubt there are many pet chipmunks left in France: they've been completely banned since 2016. Zoos don't seem to have any either. So overall, there are probably between 20 000 and 50 000 chipmunks in France. Quite a lot of belling work.
I wonder how come the Eastern US has only the eastern chipmunk, the Western US has about 23 different species, and northern Asia just has the Siberian chipmunk.
Environment? Western North America having more natural barriers to encourage speciation like the Rockies and deserts? Some other thing?
The earliest chipmunk fossils are from Miocene Eurasia, so I'd assume they were among the species that made their way across Beringia back during the Pleistocene. (Along with all the other New World squirrels)
YOU WAKE UP in a cold sweat. As you shift around in bed, you gain understanding of your situation— your stomach hurts, your head is seething with pain, your whole body is aching like you just got hit with a semi-truck. There’s a slight ringing in your ear.
You yawn and wipe the tears from your eyes. You don’t know whether they were from the yawn or from your pain. Maybe both. Definitely both. You decide that trying to go back to sleep won’t do you any good, even though the window next to your bed showed a dark night sky. No stars.
So, with aching pain, you reach for your phone. Flinching and shutting your eyes from the bright, artificial light, you quickly fumble for the brightness slider and turn it down to the lowest setting. Your eyes still have to adjust, blinking in the light, but you continue on to open up Tumblr.
You scroll through your dashboard, trying to forget about the burning pain in your head. You like a few posts, but nothing makes the pain stop.
Until you read one post from your mutual.
“sing along with the grasshoppers is the best album ever,” he writes.
What? That’s strange. You are damn certain that the weird band he couldn’t stop raving about was The Chipmunks.
Who are The Grasshoppers?
You sit up in bed, not realizing your pain has completely dissipated.
You exit Tumblr and open your browser.
You type in “the grasshoppers,” not expecting to see much. Maybe it was some weird knock-off of The Chipmunks. You vaguely remember your mutual posting about that, actually. How many people tried to cash in on the success of The Chipmunks when they first came out. You tried to recall about that post more to reassure yourself, but suddenly the page loaded and you started to scroll, seeking answers.
A wikipedia page popped up, so you clicked that.
“The Grasshoppers are an American animated virtual band and media franchise first created by Eddie Maynard for novelty records back in 1959.”
What?
You scroll some more.
History.
Main Characters.
Recording Technique.
Guest Appearances.
You click on “History,” assuming they will talk about how The Grasshoppers are obviously a Chipmunk clone.
You read. And read. And read. No mention of The Chipmunks.
So you click the top of your browser.
“the chipmunks” you type.
Chipmunks.
Rodents.
Chipmunks are small, striped rodents of the family Sciuridae. Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk, which is found in Asiaaw fuck i forgot this was already a movie about the beatles. never mind
Did you know chipmunks, part of the squirrel family, can collect up to 165 acorns in a day? This shows how complex their eating habits are. With over 20 species in North America, their diet is key to their health and their role in nature. So, what do chipmunks eat? They eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects, making their diet varied and suited to their home.
If you love nature or have a pet chipmunk, learning about their diet is interesting. It helps us appreciate their special place in the ecosystem. Let's explore what chipmunks eat in the wild and in captivity.
Key Takeaways
Chipmunks can stash up to 165 acorns in a single day.
Their diet comprises nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.
Understanding chipmunk food preferences helps ensure their health.
There are over 20 species of chipmunks globally.
Chipmunks are essential for seed dispersal in their environment.
Introduction to Chipmunks
Chipmunks are small mammals in the rodent family, part of the Sciuridae family. Over 25 species exist, with the Eastern chipmunk being well-known in North America. They weigh between 55g and 125g, with the Eastern chipmunk averaging about 125g. Their length varies from 16 to 30 cm, showing the diversity in chipmunk sizes.
Chipmunks are most active during the day and are known for their unique stripes. These stripes help identify them. They also have large cheek pouches for carrying and storing food.
Chipmunks live in forests, gardens, and bushy areas. These places offer them plenty of space to climb and find food. Their territories range from 0.04 to 1.26 hectares, with males having bigger areas than females and young ones.
Chipmunks are important in their ecosystems. They collect seeds, insects, and plants, helping with seed dispersal and soil health. Their food preparation and storage are key to surviving the winter when food is hard to find.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=T9PMp0sQqLM
Natural Habitat of Chipmunks
Chipmunks live in many places that have lots of cover and food. They like woodlands, gardens, and areas with lots of bushes. These small animals dig burrows that can be up to 12 feet long and 3 feet deep. In these burrows, they make nests and store seeds for the winter to survive.
The Eastern chipmunk is the biggest type, up to 11 inches long and weighing about 4.4 ounces. Most chipmunks are 4 to 7 inches long and weigh 1 to 5 ounces. This size helps them move easily in their homes.
In forests, chipmunks have a lot of food to choose from, like seeds, insects, and small plants. They eat a lot of acorns in the fall. In one day, they can collect up to 165 acorns, showing how good they are at finding food.
Because of their ability to adapt, chipmunks live all over North America, except for the Siberian chipmunk in northern Asia. Learning about where chipmunks live shows how important they are to healthy ecosystems.
What Do Chipmunks Eat?
Chipmunks eat a wide variety of foods, showing how adaptable they are. They enjoy nuts, seeds, fruits, and even insects. Knowing what chipmunks eat helps us understand their role in nature.
Variety in Their Diet
Chipmunks mainly eat:
Nuts: Acorns, sunflower seeds, beech nuts, hickory nuts, walnuts, pecans, chestnuts, pine nuts, and hazelnuts
Fruits: Berries, apples, cherries, and grapes
Seeds: Various seeds, including those from bird feeders
Animal matter: Insects, bird eggs during breeding seasons
Fungi: Some species include mushrooms in their diet
These foods show how chipmunks take advantage of what's available. They often take eggs from bird nests and eat seeds from bird feeders. They also collect and store food for winter, helping them survive.
Role in Ecosystem
Chipmunks do more than just eat. They help plants by spreading seeds, which helps new plants grow. Their digging and eating habits keep forests healthy by moving nutrients around. This makes them key to keeping nature balanced and diverse.
Food TypeExamplesRole in DietNutsAcorns, sunflower seeds, beech nutsPrimary energy source, particularly in winterFruitsBerries, apples, cherriesProvide vitamins and hydrationAnimal MatterInsects, bird eggsRich in protein, especially for nursing mothersFungiMushroomsSupplemental food source
Chipmunks play a big role in keeping their ecosystems healthy. Their varied diet helps them and the environment. Their actions show how important they are for nature's balance.
Chipmunk Diet in the Wild
Chipmunks eat a wide variety of foods in the wild. They mainly eat plants and some protein sources. This mix helps them survive and stay healthy.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are key to a chipmunk's diet. They look for acorns, sunflower seeds, and other high-fat seeds for energy. These foods also help keep their teeth healthy by wearing them down naturally.
But, eating too many nuts like peanuts can be bad for them. It can lead to health problems like metabolic bone disease. So, chipmunks need to eat nuts in moderation.
Fruits and Vegetation
Chipmunks love many fruits, like grapes, oranges, apples, and berries. They also eat vegetation, such as dandelions and clover. These foods give them vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy.
This variety of food helps chipmunks survive through different seasons. When some foods are scarce, they can still find others to eat.
Insects and Other Protein Sources
Insects are a big part of a chipmunk's diet. They eat grubs, ants, small beetles, and sometimes small frogs and bird eggs. This protein is very important for young chipmunks and during pregnancy.
Food TypeExamplesNutrition ValueNuts and SeedsSunflower seeds, Acorns, PeanutsHigh in fats and energyFruitsGrapes, Apples, BlueberriesRich in vitamins and antioxidantsVegetationDandelions, Clover, Grass shootsProvides essential nutrientsProtein SourcesInsects, Small rodents, GrubsHigh in protein and calcium
Feeding Habits of Chipmunks
Chipmunks have special ways to find food that help them survive. They use their strong sense of smell to find nuts, seeds, and other food. This skill lets them collect enough food to last all year.
Foraging Behavior
Chipmunks search for food on the ground, looking under leaves and debris. They eat a variety of foods, including:
Nuts
Seeds
Fruits
Insects
They gather food in the morning and afternoon, eating about 140 nuts a day. This helps them stay healthy and survive in the wild.
Hoarding and Food Caching
Chipmunks also store food in their burrows in the fall. These burrows can be over ten feet long and hold a lot of food. They store up to a gallon and a half of nuts and seeds for winter.
This way of storing food is important for the environment. When chipmunks get their stored food, they also plant seeds. This helps plants grow and keeps the ecosystem healthy.
Chipmunk Diet in Captivity
It's important for pet owners to know about the chipmunk diet in captivity. A balanced and varied diet keeps them healthy and happy. Here are some tips for feeding your pet chipmunks.
Recommended Foods for Pet Chipmunks
Choose foods that mimic their natural diet. Here are some recommended foods for pet chipmunks:
Cereals: Offer around 50% of their daily intake through grains such as oats and barley.
Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and pecans are excellent options, providing healthy fats.
Seeds: Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds work well in moderation.
Vegetables: Fresh choices include carrots and sweet potatoes, which can complement their diet.
Fruits: Small amounts of apples and berries can be a delightful treat.
How to Supply Their Diet
Here are ways to effectively supply diet for chipmunks:
Offer fresh, clean water daily, ensuring hydration.
Introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive upsets.
Avoid relying on commercially prepared diets, which may not provide optimal nutrition.
Monitor portion sizes and frequency, allowing them to feed up to six times a day for better digestion.
Foods to Avoid in Chipmunk Diet
Chipmunks can be charming pets, but it's important to know what foods are bad for them. Some fruits and veggies are harmful, and store-bought diets often don't give them what they need.
Dangerous Fruits and Vegetables
There are some dangerous fruits and vegetables that can harm chipmunks. Fruits with pits, like peaches and plums, can be poisonous if the pits are eaten. Eating too many sugary fruits can also make them overweight. Onions and garlic are toxic to chipmunks and can cause health problems.
Inappropriate Commercial Diets
Many diets for small animals have seeds as the main ingredient, which is bad for chipmunks. These diets often don't give them the nutrients they need, leading to health issues. A better diet would include a variety of fruits, nuts, and proteins, similar to what they eat in the wild.
Food TypeReason to AvoidStone Fruits (e.g., peaches, plums)Risk of poisoning if stones are ingestedOnion and GarlicToxic to chipmunksHigh-Sugar FruitsContributes to obesitySeed-Based DietsLacks necessary nutritional balance
Signs of a Healthy Chipmunk Diet
It's important for caregivers to know the signs of a healthy chipmunk diet. Healthy chipmunks are active and search for food with energy. They also interact with others and explore their world. If a chipmunk is energetic and curious, it probably has a balanced diet.
Behavioral Indicators
Active chipmunks show they're eating well through their behavior. They forage often and interact with their environment. They may also make sounds. If a chipmunk doesn't want to explore or move normally, it might have diet or health issues.
Physical Health Signs
Chipmunks' physical health shows in their looks and actions. A shiny coat, bright eyes, and a healthy weight mean they're eating right. Regular droppings and active behavior also suggest a good diet. But, if a chipmunk is tired or eats differently, it might need a diet change for better health.
FAQ
What do chipmunks eat in the wild?
Chipmunks eat a mix of nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, and plants. They like nuts like acorns and hazelnuts, seeds, fruits, and insects.
What specific nuts and seeds do chipmunks prefer?
They love sunflower seeds and acorns. These nuts are high in fat, which is great for them.
Can chipmunks eat fruits?
Yes, they eat many fruits. Berries and other fruits give them important vitamins.
What role do chipmunks play in the ecosystem?
Chipmunks help by spreading seeds. This helps plants grow back and keeps forests healthy.
What are the feeding habits of chipmunks?
They look for food on the ground with their strong sense of smell. They also store extra food for winter.
How should I feed a pet chipmunk?
Feed your pet chipmunk cereals, nuts, seeds, fruits, and veggies. Cereals should make up to 50% of their diet.
Are there any foods that chipmunks should avoid?
Yes, they should not eat fruits with pits like peaches and plums. Also, avoid seed-based foods made for pets.
What signs indicate a healthy chipmunk diet?
A healthy chipmunk is active, has a shiny coat, eats regularly, and has bright eyes. Their droppings should be consistent.
How do I transition my pet chipmunk to new foods?
Change their diet slowly to avoid stomach problems. Add new foods a little at a time.
Never trust your own hubris. Not 100% of the time, anyway.
For a particular joke, I needed a translation for "chipmunk." Instead of just directly translating the word I needed, I ignorantly assumed that all chipmunks were a western hemisphere thing, and started looking for similar rodents in eastern Europe. (Siberian chipmunks are a thing. I was wildly incorrect and should have looked that up first.)
I figured "ground squirrel" might be the closest equivalent (again, WILDLY incorrect here) and looked for the Romanian translation. I ended up with "popândău" after glancing at a couple web pages and just plugged it into the sentence where I needed it.
I finish the conversation, copy and paste my "authentic" translation back into google translate and. It somehow went from "gopher" to "bitch??"
I don't know how that happened. But I did another round of googling and learned that yes, of course other languages have names for animals that aren't local to the speaker's country of origin. I served myself a huge slice of humble pie tonight.
Fist the snowdrops, then the crocus, then the Siberian squill. At least in our garden, these three are always the first to bloom starting in mid-February. It’s hard to pick a favorite of the three. For some reason, though, Siberian squill get the short end of the gardener’s stick.
Everyone loves the snowdrops as their numbers grow each year, and no one seems to mind that the snow crocus pop up everywhere year after year, not just in the garden but the lawn as well. But only the Siberian squill are called by that dreaded garden word “invasive.” In one garden guide, the author demanded in large letters “Do not plant these flowers,” advising the gardener to stamp on them so they would not rise again next spring. As Ezra might say “Stick it in your ear, garden guide.” I love these flowers. They are what is called Prussian Blue, the whole flower, pistils and stamens and all. They are in fact the bluest flowers to bloom all year.
Siberian squill are in the Scilla family, the same family as the Virginia Bluebells, much loved larger plants which bloom mid Spring. But these plants are barely 5 inches high with timy blooms.
Just about the whole plant is toxic. Most of the small early bulbs are eaten like candy by the squirrels, chipmunks, and mice. But the Scilla bulb contains the compound scilliroside, an ingredient in some rat poisons, so the rodents know to leave them alone. This gives the squill free rein to spread in the garden.
The plant’s family name derives from the mythological figure Scylla. She was the daughter of King Nesus of Megara, but betrayed him for the love of his rival King Minos. Minos rightfully was horrified by her act of patricide and rejected her love. In grief, she threw herself from the cliffs into the sea and was transformed into a sea monster shown below. The bitter Scylla spent her days destroying every ship attempting to cross the Strait of Messina.
If I am not wrong, I think Starbucks chose her for its logo.
In any event, the god Poseidon later managed to take her to what must have been a very large bed and, as a gift, transformed her into the beautiful cliffs off the coast of Sicily that bear her name.
Lastly, Asher may be interested to know, in hoodoo, practiced by slaves in the American south, placing squill in a container with one coin of each denomination draws in an abundance of fresh cash.
i am the only person in the world that loves the time change and the fact that it is dark SO early. i thrive during this dark time
however, i do NOT love christmas music for the most part
i don't enjoy the various covers of the same song done in different musical styles
like tbh once the muppets and alvin and the chipmunks put out albums, that was all we needed.
my ideal christmas song playlist is
carol of the bells but only if it sounds like it's being sung by a gaggle of ghost children from the victorian era. probably the kids who died in the dan rad led woman in black movie.
the og you're a mean one mr. grinch from the cartoon back in the day
christmas eve / saravejo - trans siberian orchestra
that one christmas song by the guy from the beetles, you know the one
the reggaeton version of mi burrito sabanero
most wonderful time of the year - the andy williams version and only because of the "we'll tell scary ghost stories" line
christmas at hogwarts - specifically the minute or that starts 20 seconds in.
the invisiblity cloak and the library scene - this is the song immediately after the christmas at hogwarts song
Chipmunks are small, striped rodents of the family Sciuridae. Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk which is found primarily in Asia.
Chipmunks are small, squirrel-like rodents that are commonly found in North America. They are easily identified by their striped fur, bushy tails, and large, bulging cheeks. Chipmunks are omnivorous, eating both plant and animal matter, and are known to store food in their cheek pouches to eat later.