Foraging Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Voles

Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), and southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi) have been busy foraging in the leaf litter, building up their food stores before the cold winter months roll in. None of these three rodent species are true hibernators, but squirrels and chipmunks may enter a torpid state during the winter season. This means their body temperature and heart rate will decrease during deep sleep, but they will wake up periodically to eat stored food and forage. When hiking the trails, stop to listen for scratching and rustling under the leaves and see if you can get a glimpse of which busy rodent it is!

Photo by Jesse Amesbury.