Eastern Chipmunk
This little chipmunk nearly broke my heart. I found it in the woods yesterday - it was so tiny (~6 cm long /2 inches). It's head and body seemed deformed, and it had a big gash on its neck. I'm guessing it was born deformed and then got attacked? I'm also wondering if it could be blind? I can't stop thinking about this poor, beautiful creature and wish I could have helped it. But, I was hiking without my pack - no gloves, food, container, etc. (not smart, I know). It was so heartbreaking to walk away from this little guy.
The eastern chipmunk is a chipmunk species found in eastern North America. It is the sole living member of the chipmunk subgenus "Tamias", sometimes recognised as a separate genus. Its name comes from the Odawa word "ajidamoonh" or the Ojibwe word "ajidamoo", which translates literally as "one who descends trees headlong."
