Eastern Chipmunk vs. North American Beaver

Attribute	Eastern Chipmunk	North American Beaver
Scientific Name	Tamias striatus	Castor canadensis
Size	Small, 5-6 inches long	Large, up to 3 feet long
Habitat	Forests, woodlands, gardens	Rivers, streams, lakes
Diet	Seeds, nuts, fruits, insects	Bark, twigs, leaves, aquatic plants
Behavior	Solitary, burrow-dwelling	Social, build dams and lodges

Physical Attributes

The Eastern Chipmunk and North American Beaver are both small mammals, but they have distinct physical attributes. The Eastern Chipmunk is much smaller, typically measuring around 5 to 6 inches in length and weighing between 2 to 4 ounces. It has a striped back with alternating light and dark stripes, while its underbelly is a creamy white color. In contrast, the North American Beaver is much larger, measuring around 3 to 4 feet in length and weighing between 35 to 70 pounds. It has a stocky body with a broad, flat tail that is used for swimming and building dams.

Habitat

Eastern Chipmunks are commonly found in wooded areas throughout eastern North America. They prefer habitats with plenty of cover, such as forests, brushy areas, and gardens. Chipmunks are excellent climbers and can often be seen scurrying up trees or along fences. On the other hand, North American Beavers are primarily aquatic animals that inhabit freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, streams, and ponds. They are known for their impressive engineering skills, building dams and lodges out of sticks, mud, and rocks to create a safe habitat.

Diet

Both Eastern Chipmunks and North American Beavers are herbivores, but they have different dietary preferences. Chipmunks have a varied diet that includes nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, insects, and even small vertebrates. They are known to store food in their cheek pouches and burrows to eat later. Beavers, on the other hand, primarily feed on the bark, leaves, and twigs of trees such as aspen, willow, and birch. They are well-adapted for gnawing through tough wood with their sharp incisors.

Behavior

Eastern Chipmunks are solitary animals that are active during the day, known for their quick movements and high-pitched chirps. They are territorial and will defend their burrows from other chipmunks. Chipmunks are also known for their habit of storing food in multiple caches to ensure a steady food supply. In contrast, North American Beavers are social animals that live in family groups called colonies. They are most active at dawn and dusk, working together to build and maintain their dams and lodges. Beavers are also known for their loud slapping of their tails on the water as a warning signal.

Reproduction

Eastern Chipmunks typically breed once or twice a year, with females giving birth to a litter of 2 to 6 young after a gestation period of about 30 days. The young are born blind and hairless, and they are weaned at around 6 weeks of age. Chipmunks reach sexual maturity at around 1 year of age. North American Beavers have a longer breeding season, typically mating in January or February and giving birth to a litter of 1 to 6 kits after a gestation period of about 3 months. The kits are born fully furred and with their eyes open, and they are weaned at around 2 months of age.

Conservation Status

The Eastern Chipmunk is considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While they face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, chipmunk populations are generally stable and widespread. In contrast, the North American Beaver was once heavily hunted for its fur, leading to a significant decline in populations. Conservation efforts and regulations have helped to protect beavers, and their populations have rebounded in many areas. Beavers are now considered a species of least concern by the IUCN.