When the sun is hot and the only thing on everyone’s mind is the lake to stretch out and roast and swim all day, there is often a small visitor to your spot on the beach who has developed a real taste for chips and cookie crumbs.
The little western chipmunk is a real opportunist and has no trouble weaving its way between humans, tree trunks and flip flops, looking for a tasty meal.
The smallest of the squirrel family, this little visitor is instantly recognizable by the white and black stripe and the quick scuttling movements which keep it one step ahead of most enemies, except coyotes and birds of pray.
Without exception, these chipmunks can be found all across North America and are definitely not on the endangered list.
Chipmunks don’t live in the deep forest, but make their home along the edge of Alouette Lake and in areas clear cut of trees, where brush is growing and there is an abundance of insects.
They have an omnivorous diet consisting of bugs, small frogs, grain, nuts and berries and love birds eggs.
They also consider a salt and vinegar chip a real treat.
Stock piling food in different places is a trait all squirrels share, and like its bigger brothers and sisters, the chipmunk carries its food in small pouches in it’s cheeks.
Essentially a loner, the western chipmunk only pairs to mate once a year, then again roams by itself.
This chipmunk is important to the forest floor and along the edge of the trees as part of its diet consists of truffle fungi, which rely on the animal to disperse its spores.
They typically live for about three years and can answer to many names, such as ground squirrel, chippers and timber tigers – because of their stripes.
Despite their cuteness, chipmunks are wild creatures and can give you a nasty nip if they feel threatened, so don’t try to feed them.
And lock up your bag of chips, or you may lose them.
Liz Hancock is a member of the Alouette River Management Society.