BROOKFIELD, WI — The U.S. Postal Service today released a set of four new stamps that depicts three of the season’s most adorable critters: the eastern chipmunk, eastern gray squirrel and American red squirrel.

The stamps made their debut at the Milcopex stamp show in Brookfield, WI.

Squirrels and chipmunks are very resourceful. Some hoard food supplies for the winter; others forage for food in the colder months. But one thing they have in common is making time for plenty of naps.

When winter hits, the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) scopes out snacks and builds high-up nests called dreys, some of which are sturdy enough to withstand full-on blizzard conditions. They are guided by a keen sense of smell and can often be found tunneling through deep snow to reach hidden stashes of food.

The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) shows off its new winter gear fashion with fluffy ear tufts and a thicker coat when the temperature drops. It’s constantly hunting for its favorite foods such as pine nuts, berries, sap and other squirrelly delicacies. Much like its eastern gray squirrel counterpart, it retreats to a drey or other cozy spot in a tree on especially frigid days. It will occasionally go underground to rest and get out of the cold.

The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the proactive member of this group. It preps for winter during the warmer months by stockpiling its burrow full of nuts and seeds. Once the cold weather hits, it settles down for long winter naps, waking up from time to time for a snack. On some milder winter days, it may pop out of its burrow to stretch its legs for a bit before scampering back to its warm and dry underground home.

Whether dashing through the snow or snoozing the day away, these small survivors have winter all figured out. And now they’re ready to bring a little extra pep to the mail — one scamper at a time.

Artwork

This 20-stamp booklet features four photographs of two eastern chipmunks, an eastern gray squirrel and an American red squirrel.

Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using existing photographs by Fiona M. Donnelly of an eastern chipmunk holding its paws to its mouth in a quiet moment of feeding, an eastern gray squirrel caught on camera mid-munch by Matt Prosser, an eastern chipmunk with cheeks bulging with food photographed by Martha M. Stewart, and an American red squirrel with small paws raised to its mouth photographed by Ross Taylor.

Noyes was charmed by the lighthearted spirit the animals bring to the designs.

“There’s something about their expressions,” she said. “We see squirrels and chipmunks all the time, but not always up close like this. The stamps let us pause and take in their little faces. There’s so much joy in them.”

Noyes noted that while many stamps have featured animals in winter settings, these are the first to shine a spotlight on such familiar little creatures.

“When you see the booklet as a whole, the animals’ faces popping up from the snow has a playful effect,” she explained. “The stamps are fun and uplifting. I hope they make people smile, especially in the heart of winter.”

The Squirrels & Chipmunks in Snow stamps are being issued as Forever stamps. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #Squirrels&ChipmunkStamps.

Squirrels & Chipmunks in Snow Forever stamps are available at Post Office locations nationwide and online at The Postal Store.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic, or at select Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, First Day of Issue Ceremonies and stamp inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com.

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