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Siberian Chipmunk, Tamias sibiricus
.
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Overview
Short description of Tamias sibiricus, Siberian Chipmunk
Author's name:
Chipmunks are small, brown members of the squirrel family, less than 25 cm in total
length, with a bold pattern of pale stripes across the face and along the back. There
are more than 20 species, but the Siberian chipmunk is the only one commonly kept
as a pet in GB.
John Marchant
Last updated:
March 23rd, 2012
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Description of Tamias sibiricus, Siberian Chipmunk status in GB
Chipmunks, probably mostly this species (the Siberian chipmunk), are occasionally
reported in GB as single or multiple escapes from captivity. No breeding has been
reported.
H a b i t a t s u m m a r y : Tamias sibiricus, Siberian Chipmunk
Chipmunks inhabit coniferous and mixed boreal and temperate forests with a rich
undergrowth of berry-bearing shrubs, as well as steppe and open areas. They often
occur also in parks, gardens and cemeteries.
Overview table
Environment:
Terrestrial
Species
status:
Non-Native
Native range:
Siberia, Russian Far East, China, Mongolia,
Kazan-retto, Nansei-shoto, Ogasawara-shoto, North
Korea, Kazakhstan, Russia Central, Russia East,
Russia North, Russia Northwest, Russia South
Functional
type:
Herbivore
Status in
England:
Non-Native
Status in
Scotland:
Non-Native
Status in
Wales:
Non-Native
Location of
first record:
?
Date of first
record:
2004
Invasion history: Tamias sibiricus, S i b e r i a n
Chipmunk
Origin
The native range extends throughout the Eurasian taiga zone, from Finland and
westernmost Russia (Karelia) eastwards to eastern Siberia, Japan and eastern China.
First Record
Escapes and releases are known to have been occurring in GB since at least 1999,
when one was found in Yorkshire. Although most have been quickly recaptured or
killed, some animals have remained at large for several months.
Pathway and Method
Chipmunks are commonly imported to Britain for the pet trade, and some may escape
or be deliberately released. Releases due to vandalism have included 70 animals in
Berkshire in 2005 and 20 in Sussex in 2009.
Species Status
Introduced populations exist in Belgium (four populations, one with 18,000 animals in
2000), the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, France (ten populations), Italy (three
populations) and Austria. At least in the main Belgian site there may be a negative
impact on ground-nesting birds.
Ecology & Habitat: Tamias sibiricus, S i b e r i a n
Chipmunk
Dispersal Mechanisms
Data from France indicate that populations spread relatively slowly, at rates of
200–250 metres per year, at least in the first decades after introduction. The related
American species is known to cross open areas up to 400 m wide and to use
hedgerows as corridors linking more distant patches of habitat.
Reproduction
Breeding is normally in spring, after hibernation. Chipmunks live in simple shallow
burrows underground. Burrows may be up to 9 metres long and have chambers for
nesting, larder and defecation.
Known Predators/Herbivores
Several chipmunks have been caught by domestic cats and trained hawks in GB, and
may be particularly susceptible to predation in this country. Wild raptors, owls and
foxes may also be significant predators.
Resistant Stages
Within the natural range, Siberian chipmunks hibernate from autumn until early spring.
Animals living in warmer climates may remain active for most of the year, entering a
torpid state during unfavourable winter weather.
Habitat Occupied in GB
There are believed to be no Siberian chipmunks living wild in GB.
Distribution: Tamias sibiricus, Siberian Chipmunk
This species occurs in its native range from the coast up into mountains, as far as the
tree line. No introduced populations exist in GB but the species thrives at similar
latitudes on the near Continent.
I m p a c t s : Tamias sibiricus, Siberian Chipmunk
Environmental Impact
In the largest non-native population, in Belgium, predation by chipmunks may be
significant for ground-nesting birds. They may compete with small native woodland
mammals, such as red squirrel, wood mouse and bank vole.
Health and Social Impact
Chipmunks may be vectors of various diseases and parasites, including rabies and
Lyme disease, but pose no particular threat to public health. Damage to gardens
occurs in urban and suburban areas.
Economic Impact
In Russia, chipmunks consume around half the production of forest nuts. They can
cause serious economic damage to grain fields and to orchards.
References & Links: Tamias sibiricus, S i b e r i a n
Chipmunk
Identification
Harris, S. & Yalden, D.W. (2008) Mammals of the British Isles: Handbook. Fourth
edition. The Mammal Society, Southampton.
Biology, ecology, spread, vectors
Bertolino, S., Currado, I., Mazzoglio, P.J. & Amori, G. (2000) Native and Alien Squirrels in
Italy. Hystrix, 1 1, 49–58.
Chapuis, J.-L. (2005) Répartition en France d’un animal de compagnie naturalisé, le
Tamia de Sibérie ( Tamias sibiricus). Revue d'Ecologie la Terre et la Vie, 6 0, 239–253.
Verbeyen, G. (2001) Investigation of the Asian chipmunk in De Panne (Belgium).
Summary of project on www.squirrelweb.co.uk/articles/aliens
Management and impact
Forstmeier, W. & Weiss, I. (2002) Effects of nest predation in the Siberian chipmunk on
success of the dusky warbler breeding (Abstract). Zoologicheskii Zhurnal, 8 1,
1367–1370.
Wittenberg, R. (ed) (2005) An inventory of alien species and their threat to biodiversity
and economy in Switzerland. CABI Bioscience Switzerland Centre report to the Swiss
Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape.
General
Long, J.L. (2003) Introduced mammals of the world: their history, distribution, and
influence. CABI & CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.
Mitchell-Jones, A.J., Amori, G., Bogdanowicz, W., Kryštufek, B., Reijnders, P.J.H.,
Spitzenberger, F., Stubbe, M., Thissen, J.B.M., Vohralík, V. & Zima, J. (1999) The Atlas
of European Mammals. T. & A.D. Poyser, London.
Tsytsulina, K., Formozov, N., Shar, S., Lkhagvasuren, D. & Sheftel, B. (2008) Tamias
sibiricus. In IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2.
< www.iucnredlist.org> .