This thesis evaluates, in free-ranging eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), burrow site selection, the effect of burrow microhabitat on individual behaviour and winter torpor expression, as well as resource and climate determinants of fine-scale variation in winter torpor expression and energetics. This was accomplished by characterizing burrow microhabitat, performing behavioural observations, and monitoring winter torpor expression. Among several burrow microhabitat variables related to food availability, predation risk, and hibernacula microclimate, availability of woody debris was the best predictor of burrow site use. Anti-predator benefits associated with availability and use of woody debris are potentially more important than those associated with burrow microhabitat features that are either too spatially invariant (soil temperatures) or too spatially and temporally variant (food sources). Abundance of tree-seeds drastically reduced winter torpor, increasing considerably winter energy consumption, and local density of seed-producing trees was responsible for fine-scale spatial variation in torpor expression. The potential range in winter torpor expression and energy consumption was constrained by microclimate, whereas observed patterns of winter torpor and energy consumption were highly variable and determined primarily by local food abundance.

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