Chipmunk, Asiatic

(Eutamias sibiricus), a mammal of the squirrel family, order Rodentia. Body length, 17 cm; tail length, 12 cm. Its golden brown back has five lengthwise black stripes.

The Asiatic chipmunk is widespread in the forests of northeastern Europe and Asia. It climbs trees well but makes its nest in burrows. It feeds on seeds of conifers and deciduous trees, buds, mushrooms, and cereal grains and gathers large stores of food for the winter. It is hunted in Siberia for its hide. In the eastern part of its habitat area, the chipmunk sometimes damages cereal plantings (especially on small fields located among forests) and garden crops.