Carli DeGarlais
A chipmunk scurried across the rocks in a parking lot on campus.
In a sure sign spring has arrived on campus, groups of chipmunks have been spotted scampering around, marking the end of their semi-hibernation. These chipmunks have been in hiding since late October. Chipmunks do not truly hibernate. They instead stay in a state of torpor, or semi-hibernation, meaning their body temperature and heart rate decrease significantly. However, they still wake up periodically during the winter to eat stored seeds and nuts. These chipmunks are longtime residents on the Central Oregon Community College Bend campus. Be on the lookout for these symbols of spring!