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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature: Chipmunks & Squirrels


Chipmunks are small striped squirrels in the genus Tamias. Except for one species in northeast Asia, they are found only in North America. All chipmunks have facial stripes. Chipmunks are diurnal mammals and hibernate in cold weather. They have internal cheek patches for carrying food. Unlike most ground-squirrels which store fat for energy during dormant periods, chipmunks have large underground caches of food the the occasional periods of waking and for use in early spring in areas still covered by snow. Seeds and fruits constitute most of their diet although the Least Chipmunk eats a fair amount of insects and even lizards

Squirrels are almost everywhere in California, from the coastal area to the inland. These incredibly agile, cute, and wacky characters are endearing to many, with the exception of  bird lovers, since a squirrel can empty out a bird feeder in a matter of minutes!  Incredible climbers and jumpers, Squirrels can hang from any angle it seems. The California ground squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi, is one of the most troublesome pests to homeowners and gardeners. It is found in nearly all regions of California except for the Owens Valley southward into the desert regions.
Meriams chipmunk is found in parts of California nature Merriam's Chipmunk ranges through the foothills of central and southern California. It particularly like chaparral areas and scurries around on branches and logs. When they are scampering in trees they jump from branch to branch, using their fluffy tails for balance. Where their range and the range of the California chipmunk overlap, the two may interbreed.

Evidence indicates that over part of its range Merriam’s Chipmunk occurs in two very similar forms that remain distinct. They can be distinguished by skull and penis bone characteristics, and by their appearance. The form found in the Eagle, San Bernardino, Little San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Santa Rosa mountain areas is paler in summer, with the dark stripes on its back more reddish, than the typical form of Merriam’s Chipmunk.

Merriam's chipmunk's calls are distinctive. Perched on top of a stump or rock, the chipmunks vocalize long and vigorously, and the "chip" sound is often followed by a burst of sound called a "terminal pulse."
The California Chipmunk is active throughout the year. It feeds on a variety of seeds, fruits, and flowers, including pinyon nuts and acorns. The burrows, which have short side branches that serve as turn-around spots or fecal pellet depositories, are usually protected by large boulders.

The California Chipmunk often calls from bushes, but not from trees. Its repertoire of calls includes the chip, chuck, and chipper, and a trill. An individual may chip, usually from the top of a boulder, for up to five minutes at a rate of 100 to 165 chips per minute, each one accompanied by a tail flip. The chip stimulates other chipmunks to call, while the chuck, which can also occur at a rate of 160 per minute, appears to quiet other chipmunks. The chipper call is given as the animal runs for cover.

The California chipmunk occurs in the San Bernardino, Eagle, San Jacinto, and Santa Rosa Mountains. of southern California, and in extreme south-central California near the Mexican border in Imperial and San Diego counties. It is abundant in pinyon-juniper, chamise-redshank and mixed chaparral, and ponderosa pine habitats within its range.
The fox squirrel is the largest squirrel in California nature The Fox Squirrel, named for its striking fox-like tail, is the largest squirrel in the western hemisphere. Weighing in at about 1 kg, it is about twice the size of a gray squirrel. Fox squirrels are highly variable in color, and their coats can be anywhere from creamy tan to all black.

Fox squirrels prefer open park-like habitats with scattered mature pine trees and an open understory. In some parts of southwest Florida fox squirrels are quite abundant on golf courses that have retained patches of open pine-oak forest. Fox squirrels use tree cavities for sleeping quarters and birth dens, but they also construct large leaf nests and stick nests in some areas. They are solitary, except during the breeding season, during which time mating chases sometimes occur. Females conceive in November and 2-3 young are born in January. The young remain in the nest for about 75 days, and are weaned at 90 days.

Fox squirrels are strictly diurnal, and usually do not begin foraging until mid-morning. Long leaf pine seeds and turkey oak and live oak acorns are among their favorite foods and they also eat fungi, buds, bulbs and insects. From May to October these squirrels cut green longleaf pine cones and strip off the bracts to get at the seeds. You can tell where a fox squirrel has been feeding because of the large piles of cone pieces on the ground.
The California Ground Squirrel is easily identified as they forage aboveground near their burrows. The ground squirrel’s head and body measure 9 to 11 inches and its semi-bushy tail adds another 5 to 9 inches in length. The fur is brownish gray dappled with buffy white along the back; the sides of the head and shoulders are light gray to whitish. One subspecies that occupies most of northern California has a dark, triangular-shaped patch on its back between the shoulders; this patch is missing from other species.

Ground squirrels live in a wide variety of natural habitats but usually avoid thick chaparral, dense woods, and wet areas. Ground squirrels live in a burrow system where they sleep, rest, rear young, store food, and avoid danger. The burrow openings are about 4 inches in diameter, but can vary considerably. The burrows may be 5 to 30 feet or more in length and may go 2 to 4 feet below the soil surface. Ground squirrels live in colonies that may include several dozen animals in a complex of burrows. More than one squirrel may live in a burrow.
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