Download Siberian chipmunk - Biodiversity Ireland

The National Biodiversity Data Centre
Siberian chipmunk
Tamias sibiricus
Documenting Ireland’s Wildlife
Invasive: High impact
Species profile
Habitat:
Terrestrial.
Distribution in Ireland: Localised and scattered distribution.
Status:
Not currently established, but if a viable population
was to establish the species could be a high
impact invader.
Family name:
Sciuridae.
Reproduction:
The gestation period ranges from 35-40 days with a
litter of 4-10 offspring.
Identifying features
Size:
Weight:
Tail:
Stripes:
Small (20-25cm) in total length and similar shape to other tree
squirrel species.
An adult chipmunk weighs about 100g (Range from 50-150g).
The tail is generally 1/3 the overall length of the species.
The species has 5 dark vertical stripes separated by lighter zones
of the same width, down its back from head to rump.
Frontal view of a Siberian chipmunk notice the tail which is one third the length of the entire animal
© Shutterstock
First published 2013
Please report your sightings of this species at:
http://invasives.biodiversityireland.ie
A Siberian chipmunk perched on a fence while feeding.
Dark stripes visible on back
© Shutterstock
Siberian Chipmunk
Invasive: High impact
Threats
May compete directly with the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and other forest
rodents for food and resources.
Could impact on ground and burrow nesting birds through predation of
their eggs.
Slight risk of increase to lyme disease transmission if a population becomes
established.
Similar species
Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris).
Dark stripes running vertically along the back of the
animal. © Shutterstock
The red squirrel showing its colouring and
distinctive ear tufts © Shutterstock
Grey squirrel showing pale coat and white underside
© Shutterstock
View Ireland’s distribution of this
species on http://maps.biodiversityireland.ie
Produced with funding from The Heritage Council
and the EPA STRIVE Programme 2007-2013
National Biodiversity Data Centre fact sheet.
Text: Colette O' Flynn & Oisín Duffy (Version 1) November 2013.
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