The Living Forest (211) : Siberian Chipmunk
The Siberian Chipmunk is the only chipmunk found outside North America and occurs from central Russia to China, Korea and northern Japan.
This animal (relatively small compared to the well known red squirrel) lives mostly on the ground, but it's also a good climber and can be found until the highest treetops.
All over the world, this cute little creature is often kept in a cage as a pet by so called 'animal lovers'.
However after some time, those pet owners often release it into a wild habitat for one reason or another.
So happened in the seventies of last century in the ‘Zoniënwoud’, a large forest in Belgium, when a few Siberian Chipmunks were released from captivity (by whom no one knows).
Since then this lovely animal is part of the permanent fauna of that forest, with nowadays a population size of probably several thousand specimens.
Fortunately, the Siberian Chipmunk has no negative influence on the red squirrel population.
Dutch name : Siberische grondeekhoorn (ook Boeroendoek, Koreaanse grondeekhoorn of Aziatische gestreepte grondeekhoorn genoemd)
German name : Burunduk (auch Gestreiftes Backenhörnchen, Sibirisches Streifenhörnchen oder Asiatisches Streifenhörnchen genannt)
Latin name : Eutamias sibiricus
Location : Zoniënwoud at La Hulpe, Belgium.
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A big thanks to Sigrid E
for the nomination of this picture.
***
It’s already the third time this year, that I spotted an exotic animal in Belgian natural biotopes.
Here are the 2 other cases :
patrick hyrailles 2. Oktober 2015, 9:56
belle photo bravoamitié patrick
Dagi.H. 2. Dezember 2014, 21:45
A gorgeous shot, there's probably a lot of patience and perseverance needed!Thank you for the information supplied to it.
Have a nice week wishes Dagi
Gunther Hasler 6. März 2013, 19:23
Dann ist das hübsche Gestreifte Backenhörnchen ein Neozoon, das die Tierwelt bereichert! Sehr schön und detailreich eingefangen!Gruß, Gunther
nokk 13. Dezember 2012, 7:22
excellent picture, as usual! :)all my appreciations, Mark!
hugs, doina
Sandra Malz 2. Dezember 2012, 18:32
Das ist ja ganz zauberhaft!!Das süße Hörnchen hast Du wunderbar abgelichtet!!
VG Sandra
Sigrid E 16. November 2012, 17:21
Congratulations :-)))LG
Sigrid
Mark Billiau. 16. November 2012, 17:15
@ everybody who voted pro : thanks very much and of course an extra thanks to Sigrid E for the nomination of this picture.Mark
JValentina 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
+Eric van Crombrugge 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
ProReinhard... 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
cPaula C 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
pro+++Angelika El. 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
+Chaoscats 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
Squirrel Pro :-)))poorboytommy 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
+++PRO+++Silvia Simonato. 16. November 2012, 16:44 Voting-Anmerkung
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