Microscopy Primer
Light and Color
Microscope Basics
Special Techniques
Digital Imaging
Confocal Microscopy
Live-Cell Imaging
Photomicrography
Microscopy Museum
Virtual Microscopy
Fluorescence
Web Resources
License Info
Image Use
Custom Photos
Partners
Site Info
Contact Us
Publications
Home

The Galleries:

Photo Gallery
Silicon Zoo
Pharmaceuticals
Chip Shots
Phytochemicals
DNA Gallery
Microscapes
Vitamins
Amino Acids
Birthstones
Religion Collection
Pesticides
BeerShots
Cocktail Collection
Screen Savers
Win Wallpaper
Mac Wallpaper
Movie Gallery

Polarized Light Microscopy Digital Image Gallery

Chipmunk Hair

Members of the squirrel family Sciuridae, chipmunks are primarily terrestrial animals, although they are good climbers. Two different genera of these rodents have been identified, containing a combined 26 species, some of which have recently gained popularity as pets.

The chipmunks that inhabit the eastern portion of the United States as well as southeastern Canada belong to the genus Tamias. The common variety is Tamias striatus, which is covered in reddish brown fur highlighted along the back and tail by multiple dark and light stripes. This species generally inhabits the understories of deciduous forests, making its home in underground burrows. In the northern reaches of its range, the common eastern chipmunk may enter a near-hibernation state where its body temperature drops considerably, but since the rodent possesses a short supply of fat, it must periodically become active in order to consume food.

Ensuring an adequate supply of food for the winter is one of the primary activities carried out by chipmunks. Among the many items they often consume are nuts, berries, grains, insects, and the tender shoots of plants. Such edibles are usually stored in their distensible internal check pouches and transported to the protection of the burrow for consumption or storage. Mating takes place in the spring, and following a gestation period of 31 days, females give birth to litters of two to eight young. In some areas, a second litter may be produced late in the summer.


BACK TO THE HAIRS GALLERY

BACK TO THE POLARIZED LIGHT GALLERY

Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1998-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Friday, Nov 13, 2015 at 01:19 PM
Access Count Since November 20, 2003: 13128
For more information on microscope manufacturers,
use the buttons below to navigate to their websites: