Chipmunks gather nuts prepare for winter protecting their stockpiles

Chipmunks gather hundreds of nuts in autumn to prepare for winter, using their cheek pouches to transport food. Competition for resources is fierce, and they often fight to protect their stockpiles from other chipmunks, especially older males who try to steal.

This territorial behavior is crucial for survival. At the same time, they face constant danger from predators like goshawks, which hunt them with impressive speed.

Chipmunks must balance gathering food, defending it, and staying alert to avoid being caught by predators as winter approaches.

National Geographic