We are proud to annouce our second place winner, Julie Hart. Here is her article entitled; Cheeky Chipmunks.
CHEEKY CHIPMUNKS
By Lisa Hart
A super charged ball of fur darts across the grass. It reappears on top of a nearby tree stump littered with shells. You recognize the bold stripes running down its back. The glossy, black eyes appear to be checking something out. Could it be you or your picnic lunch?
Chips, Chirps and Chucks
CHEEKY CHIPMUNKS
By Lisa Hart
A super charged ball of fur darts across the grass. It reappears on top of a nearby tree stump littered with shells. You recognize the bold stripes running down its back. The glossy, black eyes appear to be checking something out. Could it be you or your picnic lunch?
Chips, Chirps and Chucks
Chipmunk talk combines many different chips and chirps. Most of these get lost among the tweets and warbles of the birds they share backyards, parks and wild areas with. But one chipmunk sound stands out from the chorus. Trouble sets off a rapid fire of scolding chucks. Sounding something like a sharp cough the warning call seems to shake the chipmunk's whole body.
Chubby Cheeks
Chubby Cheeks
Chipmunks pack quite a pouch. Using their tongue they move seeds and nuts into position between the teeth and the skin of their cheeks. The older they get the more elastic this skin becomes. Fully loaded cheeks sometimes balloon out as big as their owner's head. Once in their den they squeeze the food back out by massaging the cheeks with their front paws.
Chipmunks tote more than food in their pouches. While digging a den they pack dirt in their cheeks. Clearing dirt away from their front door in this way helps to keep the site a secret.
Sleeping Beauty
Chipmunks tote more than food in their pouches. While digging a den they pack dirt in their cheeks. Clearing dirt away from their front door in this way helps to keep the site a secret.
Sleeping Beauty
Chipmunks store food not fat. Instead of settling in for a long winter's nap they sleep for a few days or weeks at a time. When the chipmunk wakes they snack on the food hidden under their bed of grasses, shredded leaves and fluffy seed heads.
Chipmunks often store away more food then they need for the winter. Under the ground uneaten seeds and nuts get a jump start on sprouting in the spring thanks to the chipmunk.
Did You Know?
A chipmunk may tunnel through three feet of snow to leave its den on a warm spring day.
Chipmunks often store away more food then they need for the winter. Under the ground uneaten seeds and nuts get a jump start on sprouting in the spring thanks to the chipmunk.
Did You Know?
A chipmunk may tunnel through three feet of snow to leave its den on a warm spring day.
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With a love for animals Lisa Hart dedicates many of her articles to our furry friends, from the familiar to the little known species. Her first byline appeared in Boy's Quest, a family of magazines she continues to enjoy success with. Lisa's articles, fiction and poetry have appeared in such magazines as Skipping Stones, Kid Zone and the School Magazine in Australia. She's won several regional contests for historical fiction.
With a love for animals Lisa Hart dedicates many of her articles to our furry friends, from the familiar to the little known species. Her first byline appeared in Boy's Quest, a family of magazines she continues to enjoy success with. Lisa's articles, fiction and poetry have appeared in such magazines as Skipping Stones, Kid Zone and the School Magazine in Australia. She's won several regional contests for historical fiction.
1 Comments on Second Place Winner - Julie Hart, last added: 7/21/2010
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What a great article! Packed with so much information about chipmunks that I had not known before. My kids will enjoy this, too.