Acorn

A haiku

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

You are much needed
collecting, scurrying pals
in love with acorns

Not only have the squirrels in our yard been busy collecting acorns. Their long distant cousin, the chipmunk, seems to be even more dynamic.

I have been impressed with their chipmunk collector abilities. I was curious about these little friends. In searching for information, I found some fun facts to share. I like tidbits like these. Perhaps you might even learn something new today.

• Chipmunks hibernate throughout winter. Their burrows become a retreat, although they wake every few days. Doesn’t this sound cozy? They awaken to raise their body temperatures and to feast on their stored food. They don’t survive on their body fat.
• When these little friends are in a deep sleep, they might be challenging to wake. Their heart rate declines drastically. Their bodies can reach the temperature of whatever their burrow temperature. Can you imagine sleeping in 40 degrees? I camped in 20 degrees; no wonder I was so hungry!
• Speaking of food, they enjoy many types of seeds as well as fungus. Our friends also spread the seeds of trees and other plants. Who knew of their friendly gestures?
• However, my husband isn’t happy that they have picked our yard this year. They…