Species guide
Eastern chipmunk
HarmlessTamias striatus
How to recognise it
A small ground squirrel (~25 cm) with reddish-brown fur, bold dark-and-white stripes running down the back and across the face, and cheek pouches it stuffs with food.
Is it dangerous?
Harmless to people. It can be a garden nuisance — digging burrows and raiding bulbs and feeders — but poses no threat.
What to do
Protect newly planted bulbs with mesh if needed; otherwise no action required.
Recorded 93,393 times in the wild worldwide.
Think you've spotted one?
Photograph it and let SpecieSense confirm the species — and show you the reasoning.
Identify a specimen