Photos / Sounds

Observer

kueda

Date

August 30, 2015 11:58 AM PDT

Description

One of the most amazing worms I've ever seen. About 8 mm long, climbed out of a clump of tunicates we put in a dish, undoubtedly sponges and other things mixed in too. Very close resemblence to this image, ID'd as A. speciosa at http://invasions.si.edu/nemesis/calnemo/GroupSummary.jsp?GRP=Annelids-Polychaetes, but given the image at http://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34212266 that seems like it might be wrong.

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)

Observer

greg166

Date

September 13, 2018 01:27 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Observer

cbastidas

Date

April 28, 2019 01:32 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Groundhog (Marmota monax)

Observer

aerin17069

Date

May 5, 2014 12:00 AM UTC

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Observer

hitchco

Date

April 27, 2019 11:23 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Acorn Barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides)

Observer

midnitedreary

Date

April 28, 2019 01:33 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Amphipods (Order Amphipoda)

Observer

alice_w

Date

April 29, 2019 04:55 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus ssp. zibethicus)

Observer

dongminsung

Date

April 2017

Description

Confirm?

Photos / Sounds

What

Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)

Observer

whatdoiknow

Date

May 3, 2018 06:16 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)

Observer

lorri-gong

Date

January 29, 2018 05:07 PM PST

Description

This sighting was also reported to the River Otter Ecology Project and they are investigating the wounds on this individuals nose...

Photos / Sounds

What

Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax)

Observer

tiana_cabana

Date

May 31, 2016 09:13 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

tombigelow

Date

August 24, 2013 11:20 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

European Fat Dormouse (Glis glis)

Observer

mattiamenchetti

Date

August 20, 2015 08:22 AM CEST

Place

Torino, IT (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Observer

luke_fultz

Date

June 21, 2018 08:00 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Observer

pamelabau

Date

June 2018

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Observer

meganayers

Date

September 19, 2018 08:50 PM EDT

Description

Caught in our bat net

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Observer

bobermay

Date

November 10, 2012 11:38 AM EST

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Observer

ntepper

Date

September 14, 2018 12:32 PM EDT

Description

Flushed from tree hole on the side of the causeway. Funny place to find this species, as there are no trees over 25ft on the causeway. G. sabrinus ruled out by lack of cone bearing trees in the vicinity, and by tail width (as well as the tail width taper). Another individual was discovered in the tree hole as well.

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Observer

tranj9

Date

October 10, 2016

Description

Chipmunks in southeastern Canada and northeastern United States are commonly known as the eastern chipmunk, scientifically named Tamias striatus (T. striatus) 1. A defining feature of this species is the two-paired innermost dorsal stripes being twice as wide as the other three stripes on the body1. Their diet, habitat, behaviour, and susceptibility to predators, vary depending on the season. For example, during mating season, males become more social to find a female to copulate with. However, did you know females also have a mechanism to attract mates? The following report will explore the varying aspects of the T. striatus such as, its physical characteristics, habitat, diet, reproductive behavior, and susceptibility to predators.
T. striatus are scattered over a wide geographic range, varying in size and weight. The average adult size for the eastern chipmunk is 225 to 268 mm, with the tail being an average of 72 to 101 mm in length, while a newborn is about 66 mm in length1. The average adult weighs from less than 80 to 125 grams, but a newborn weighs about 2.5 to 5 grams1. Their lifespan depends on their birth season, with chipmunks born in the spring having a higher survivorship than those born in the late summer1. Although survivorship varies among individuals, the average lifespan of these chipmunks is 30 months in the wild, and they can live up to eight years under captivity2.
The eastern chipmunk is found in many parts of Canada and the United States. In the Gulf States of the United States, they reside in the parishes by the Mississippi River and are present in the northwest area of Florida1. In Canada, they geographically range from Lake Manitoba eastward to the Quebec coastline north of Anticosti Island1. Eastern deciduous forests1 and sparse understory woodlands, with herbaceous growth and trees are their preferred habitats3. They prefer uncrowded areas that have objects (logs, trees, etc.) 4 that provide them with elevation to spot predators. They also reside in man-made habitats such as clear-cut forests, farmland woodlots, and residential areas4. In these habitats, T. striatus create burrow systems ranging from 0.11 to 1.38 acres, with a depth of less than 1 meter depending on the season1. During late summer and fall, chipmunks are the most active as they gather food for hibernation in the winter, and must increase their burrow system to accommodate for the food5.
These chipmunks use pouches in their cheeks to gather primary foods such as, seeds, nuts, and acorns to store for hibernation1. During the spring and autumn, their diet mainly consists of plant material, but in late spring and summer there is an increase in the consumption of invertebrates, insects, fungi, and small mammals6. It is suggested that there is an increased rate of consumption of non-plant-based material because it is high in protein, which is an important nutrient for newborn chipmunks6. Eastern chipmunks also prefer a diet consisting of cherries, wild lily, nannyberries, and strawberries in late July5. Therefore, due to the variation in their diet they are considered omnivores. They have an average calorie count of about 32.7 to 35.7 kcal per day1.
The social organization of the T. striatus is territorial and solitary because they are dominant over their own burrows3. Although these chipmunks are independent during the annual cycle, they become very active during mating season. Male chipmunks gather around female burrows to chase and isolate the female for copulation when she emerges from her burrow3. The adult males are very aggressive during the mating bout and squeal in a high pitch manner to drive rivals away3. Unfortunately, if a more dominant adult male spends too much time chasing away juvenile males, he risks his chance to copulate as another male could take the female away. The mating bouts usually last until mid-afternoon, and female chipmunks are capable of copulating with multiple males3. Eastern chipmunks are unique because they have two breeding seasons each year, one during March to April and another in June to July7. The females are able to participate in either one or both breeding seasons1.
It is common in many species, including the T. striatus, for males to compete with other males to attract a female. However, did you know that these females also have a mechanism to attract males? Females leave an olfactory cue (anal or vaginal secretions) around their burrow to attract males3. The anus of female T. striatus has anal glands and glandular tissue that secrete hormones and reproductive pheromones to attract the males to her nest8. The reproductive pheromones released are so strong that even after copulation, some males still wander around the entrance of the female burrow1.
While chipmunks are foraging or away from their burrows during mating season, they have a high risk of becoming prey to snakes, hawks, weasels, foxes, large frogs, and bobcats1. T. striatus warn and communicate with each other using four different alarm calls: a single high-pitched “chip”, a chip-trill, a series of chips, and a repeated low-pitched “cuk”1. The chip-trill call is typically used during an escape rush1.
Due to its large population, the T. striatus is listed as one of the least concerned species under the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List9. Furthermore, because of the flexibility in their habit choice, they have increased survival. Using burrows, hoarding food, and hibernating during unfavorable environmental conditions also make them less susceptible to extinction9.
In conclusion, T. striatus is a well-known species easily found in the southeastern and northeastern parts of Canada and the United States respectively, and their choice in habitat, diet, and behaviour are fundamental to their fitness and survival.

References (CSE – citation sequence style)

  1. Snyder DP. Tamias striatus. Mamm Species [Internet]. 1982 [cited 19 Oct 2016];168(1): 1-8. Available from: http://www.jstor.org.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/stable/pdf/3503819.pdf
  2. Montiglio PO, Garant D, Bergeron P, Messier GD, Reale D. Pulsed resources and the coupling between life-history strategies and exploration patterns in eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus). J Anim Ecol [Internet]. 2014 [cited 19 Oct 2016]; 83(1): 720-728. Available from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/doi/10.1111/1365 2656.12174/epdf
  3. Yahner RH. The adaptive nature of the social system and behaviour in the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus. Behav Ecol Sociobiol [Internet]. 1978 [cited 19 Oct 2016]; 3(1): 397-427. Avalable from: http://link.springer.com.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/article/10.1007/BF00303202
  4. Mahan CG, Yahner RH. Effects of forest fragmentation on burrow-site selection by the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Am Midl Nat [Internet]. 1996 [cited 19 Oct2016]; 136(2): 352-357. Available from: http://www.jstor.org.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/stable/pdf/2426739.pdf
  5. Forsyth DJ, Smith DA. Temporal variability in home ranges of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) in a southeastern Ontario woodlot. Am Midl Nat [Internet]. 1973 [cited 19 Oct 2016]; 90(1): 107-117. Available from: http://www.jstor.org.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/stable/pdf/2424271.pdf
  6. Wrazen JA, Svendsen GE. Feeding ecology of a population of eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) in southeast Ohio. Am Midl Nat [Internet]. 1978 [cited 19 Oct2016]; 100(1): 190-201. Available from: http://www.jstor.org.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/stable/pdf/2424789.pdf
  7. Smith LC, Smith DA. Reproductive biology, breeding seasons, and growth of eastern chipmunks, Tamias striatus (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Canada. Can J Zool [Internet]. 1971 [cited 19 Oct 2016]; 50: 1069-1085. Available from: http://www.nrcresearchpress.com.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/doi/pdf/10.1139/z72145
  8. Yahner RH, Allen BL, Peterson WJ. Dorsal and anal glands in the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus. Ohio J Sci [Internet]. 1979 [cited 19 Oct 2016]; 79(1): 40-43.Available from: https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/1811/22593/V079N1_040.pdf?sequece=1
  9. Liow LS, Fortelius M, Lintulaakso K, Mannila H, Stenseth NC. Am Nat [Internet]. 2009 [cited 19 Oct 2016]; 173(2): 264-272. Available from: http://www.jstor.org.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/stable/pdf/10.1086/595756.pdf

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Observer

greg_myers13

Date

August 6, 2018 10:16 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Monkey-Puzzle (Araucaria araucana)

Observer

rauli

Date

January 19, 2010 04:12 PM CET

Description

PN Conquillio - Araukarien an der Waldgrenze

Photos / Sounds

What

American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis)

Observer

eamonccorbett

Date

July 23, 2017 10:22 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Dandelions (Genus Taraxacum)

Observer

jessicajessica

Date

August 21, 2018 02:06 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Observer

johngarrett

Date

April 29, 2018 09:24 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

waterhelen

Date

January 27, 2013 12:06 PM ACDT

Description

One of my favourite discoveries. ID notes see page 373 G.J. Edgars "Australian Marine Life" 2nd Edition

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Observer

cbastidas

Date

April 30, 2018 10:51 AM EDT

Description

Observations at Constitution Beach, East Boston

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Observer

ntepper

Date

July 26, 2018 01:47 PM EDT

Description

Caught in a sherman trap 40g (soaking wet) female.

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Observer

prycpr2468

Date

April 28, 2018 02:32 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Red-seeded Dandelion (Taraxacum erythrospermum)

Observer

michiey

Date

May 8, 2018 05:47 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar)

Observer

allysonv

Date

July 17, 2016 04:11 AM EDT

Description

Caterpillar.

Photos / Sounds

What

Pyrenean Desman (Galemys pyrenaicus)

Observer

cesarpollo5

Date

May 1992

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)

Observer

toddtracks

Date

October 8, 2017 12:13 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis ssp. sirtalis)

Observer

tmazzarulli

Date

May 20, 2016

Description

Found in a garden, ~25cm