Snuggling chipmunks

Snuggling chipmunks

Two least chipmunks snuggle up on a tree stump. (© Tony's Takes)
Two least chipmunks snuggle up on a tree stump. (© Tony’s Takes)

A pretty cute moment between two very cute creatures. We spent this past weekend in Roosevelt National Forest in northern Colorado. It was a much-needed respite from what has been a pretty hectic couple of weeks for my wife and I.

There wasn’t a great variety of wildlife where we were at, unfortunately, but there were tons of these guys and squirrels. They provided a handy photo opportunity as we sat outside and just relaxed, soaking in the quiet of the forest.

The chipmunks are bundles of energy, rarely holding still except when stuffing their faces with seeds. This pair was kind enough to sit atop a log for a minute or two giving me a nice little series of images.

The least chipmunk is the smallest of chipmunks but it is also the most widespread in North America. They don’t truly hibernate during the winter, instead entering torpor (a state of reduced metabolic rate and body temperature) for long periods of time. They will wake and sustain themselves with the food they have stashed in their burrows during the winter.

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