Select Page

Momma Bear

Magic

The Housecraft of Chipmunk

I adore the chippies that live around my house. Of course, they wreak havoc on the garden, but their friendliness and curiosity are irresistible to me. The cheeky chippy is here to tell you that something good is coming your way. If one pauses to look at you, it is an invitation to ask for a wish. But act quickly, they can be easily distracted. They seem to gather information like nuts, never quite filling up, until they sleep for winter.  When I leave the door open, I will often get a visit.  If I am working around the house, they will simply explore, but if I am sitting down, they will climb on my shoulder and share the neighborhood news.  Their Latin name, Tamias comes from the Greek word meaning housekeeper or steward. Their burrows are expansive. It will have several “rooms” including a larder for food and well-kept sleeping quarters. With several hidden entrances, the chipmunk takes great pride in creating a safe and functional home.

If chipmunk has scurried into your day, it is time to finish some of the home improvement projects around your house.  A well crafted home will bring you joy and luck.  

The Magic of Chipmunk

Significant Qualities
Solitude

A chipmunk is perfectly happy alone.  She is able to care for all of her needs and enjoys her own company.

Play

Chipmunk does not take herself too seriously.  There is an element of play in her curiosity.  

Hide

Chipmunk is not confrontational.  She is happy to hide and live to see another day.  There is no huge ego that fills her with bravado.

Explore

New additions to the garden are irresistible to Chipmunk.  She waits until the coast is clear, but then she has to explore its facets.  

Luck

Chipmunks exude positivity, they bring luck, prosperity and fortune. They are active, energetic, fun, and playful.  

Time

Day:  Dusk and Dawn
Month:  Unknown
Season:  Autumn
Sabbat:  Mabon
Moon:  Unknown
Planet:  Unknown
Celestial: Unknown

Magic

Chakra:  Solar Plexus
Tarot:  Fool
Rune:  Unknown
Archetype:  The Innocent
Gods:  Unknown
Nature Spirits:  Unknown

Symbols

Stone:  Citrine, Mookaite
Herb:  Echinacea, Sunflowers, Coreopsis
Element:  Earth
Number:  Unknown
Direction:  Unknown
Gender:  Both
Color:  Yellow

The Science of Chipmunk

Zoology

Latin Name: Neotamias quadrivittatus (Colorado Chipmunk)
Family (Family): Sciuridae (Squirrel Family)
Other names:  Ground squirrel
Group name: A scurry of chipmunks
Female: Doe
Male: Buck
Baby: Kits, kittens or pups
Type:  Mammal
Size: 6 – 11 in.
Weight: 0.8 – 4.4 oz.
Life expectancy: 1 – 5 years
Sustainability:  Least Concern

Behavior
Shelter
These chipmunks like to live in pine forests in the higher elevations and pinyon-juniper woodlands in lower elevations.  In the foothills and canyons, they prefer rocky and broken terrain.  They build their nests in the summertime, as burrows with long tunnels (up to 30 feet) and a variety of rooms.  There will be many entrances and exits to the shallow tunnels which also house the rooms for napping.  The deeper tunnel will connect the rooms for overnight sleeping, food storage, and hibernation. Grass and leaves are used to furnish their sleeping quarters and insulate their storage rooms.
Range
Unsurprisingly, the Colorado chipmunk can be found throughout Colorado.  It can also be found in Arizona, Utah and northern New Mexico.  Other species of chipmunks can be found all over the Americas with one species in Asia.
Diet
Colorado chipmunks are almost completely herbivorous, eating seeds, nuts, fungi, and other fruits.  It is possible that they may also eat insects if needed.  While they are considered quite earthy, chippies are also excellent climbers and will forage for food in trees and shrubs.
Mating
Colorado chipmunks are considered monogamous.  For the most part, chipmunks prefer to be alone, but they will come together in late February or early March when mating will occur.  The female takes a year to reach reproductive maturity.  Males, on the other hand, take only 4 to 5 months to mature.  Males emerge from hibernation first and are followed by the females who are only receptive a few days.
Gestation
Colorado chipmunks usually have one litter in higher elevations, and two litters in lower elevations.  Gestation can take from 29-60 days, producing a litter of 2-7 young.  The kits will be cared for by their mom, emerging from the burrow in about 25 days, but they won’t be fully weaned for another 25 days.
Predators
Chippy’s predators include hawks, foxes, coyotes, weasels, and snakes.

The Folklore of Chipmunk

Proverbs and Sayings
Neil Gaiman
Chipmunks tell your fortune, if you can catch them.
Pamela Clare
Someone has to keep the chipmunks in line.
Marty Rubin
Chipmunks have the best instinct: run and hide.
Terry Goodkind
He is taming chipmunks.
Thumbnail

My friends all know that I am shy, But the chipmunk is twice as shy as I.

He moves with flickering indecision Like stripes across the television.

He’s like the shadow of a cloud, Or Emily Dickinson read aloud.

Ogden Nash