Eastern chipmunk

Description:

It has reddish-brown fur on its upper body and five dark brown stripes contrasting with light brown stripes along its back, ending in a dark tail. It has lighter fur on the lower part of its body. It has a tawny stripe that runs from its whiskers to below its ears, and light stripes over its eyes. It has two fewer teeth than other chipmunks and four toes each on the front legs but five on the hind legs.[5] The eastern chipmunk lives in deciduous wooded areas and urban parks throughout the eastern United States and southern Canada. It prefers locations with rocky areas and shrubs to provide cover. It is mainly active during the day, spending most of its day foraging. It prefers bulbs, seeds, fruits, nuts, green plants, mushrooms, insects, worms, and bird eggs. Like other chipmunks, it transports food in pouches in its cheeks. It can climb trees well but constructs underground nests with extensive tunnel systems, often with several entrances. To hide the construction of its burrow, the eastern chipmunk carries dirt to a different location in its cheek pouches. It also lines the burrow with leaves, rocks, sticks, and other material, making it even harder to see.[6] Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_chi...

Habitat:

This Chipmunk has moved into the shade garden at the front of the house. The garden consists of the following; Inner garden: Weeping Cherry Tree, Several variety of hosta and ferns, also some potted plants. Outer edge: (Taller plants to assist with shading the inner garden) Flox, sedum, yarrow, bee balm. Garden make-up is a rock type shade to full sun mixture of plants and flowers providing good cover for chipmunks and birds, also basking areas for snakes. I have two bird feeders in this garden as well as a bird bath as a constant water source. Also planted at the southern edge of the garden are two yew bushes, that are kept trim, yet provide great nesting area for the birds.

Notes:

Third photo shows the "created environment" with labels of the plants used. Form and functionality is a key thing when I am working close to the house. This is the view of the habitat from the west side. There are of course plants in the garden habitat that are not labeled, if you have a question about a particular plant please feel free to ask. :-D