What could cause a chipmunk to become extinct?

1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Deforestation, urbanization, and land development can lead to a loss of chipmunk habitats, fragmenting populations and reducing their ability to move freely and find food.

2. Climate Change: Changes in temperature, precipitation, and snowfall patterns due to climate change can affect chipmunk's ability to survive, especially during periods of extreme weather events.

3. Disease: Infectious diseases, such as tularemia, can spread rapidly through chipmunk populations and cause significant declines.

4. Predation: An increase in the population of predators, such as coyotes, foxes, and hawks, can lead to higher predation rates on chipmunks.

5. Competition with Introduced Species: Non-native species, like grey squirrels, may outcompete chipmunks for food and resources, leading to a decline in chipmunk populations.

6. Hunting and Trapping: Chipmunks are sometimes hunted for their fur or as a form of pest control, which can contribute to population declines.