“Chippies” as they are nicknamed. These guys hibernate…sorta…they wake up and eat every 2-3 weeks. Their preferred food is acorns and hickory nuts but they also enjoy hazelnuts. They will eat seeds, some types of vegetation, small vertebrates, and slugs or snails.
They are ground-dwellers but will climb trees to find food. Their cheek pouches serve as “grocery bags” for their food findings. Chippies are diligent when accumulating their winter cache and will make constant treks to and from their food burrow.
For some great photos and more info check out National Geographic
