Fun Interesting Facts About Chipmunks: Care & Traits Guide

Many people enjoy keeping exotic pets, and chipmunks are becoming especially popular due to their charming antics and busy nature. These small rodents belong to the Sciuridae family and offer a unique pet experience, but prospective owners must remember that chipmunks are excellent escape artists, so secure enclosures are a must to keep them safe.

Before deciding to welcome chipmunks into your home, it’s important to understand their characteristics, care needs, and behaviour to provide a responsible and enriching environment.

Scientific and Species Facts About Chipmunks

• Chipmunks are mammals and rodents from the Sciuridae family.
• There are over 20 species worldwide, mainly across North America and parts of Asia.
• The Tamias genus includes North American chipmunk species, divided into subgenera Tamias and Neotamias.
• Eastern chipmunks, native to eastern Canada and the United States, are among the most common.
• Siberian chipmunks inhabit northern Asia and are in the Tamias subgenus.
• The least chipmunk is the smallest species, measuring just 3-4 inches long and weighing 28-35 grams.
• Chipmunks look similar to squirrels but differ by their ground burrowing habits, where they store food in organised tunnel systems.
• Their burrows can be extensive, sometimes over 3.5 metres long, with separate areas for nesting, food storage, and sleeping.

Chipmunk Behaviour and Communication

• Chipmunks are very vocal, communicating via a variety of bird-like sounds and distinctive "chip-chip" calls from which they get their name.
• They also use amusing gestures to interact within their social groups.
• A group of chipmunks is known as a scurry.
• These animals are active mainly during early morning and late afternoon.
• Chipmunks are highly territorial, defending their burrow entrance and surrounding area, typically up to 50 feet.
• Interestingly, males are called bucks, females does, and babies are pups, kits, or kittens.

Physical Characteristics and Diet

• They weigh between 28 and 142 grams (1 to 5 ounces), typically measuring 10 to 18 cm (4 to 7 inches) in length; tails are 8 to 13 cm long.
• Chipmunks have light and dark stripes along their backs and expanding cheek pouches which can grow to three times the size of their head to store food.
• Omnivorous diet: they eat fruit, seeds, nuts, insects, small eggs, frogs, and fungi in the wild.
• They practice "larder hoarding" or "scatter hoarding," gathering large food quantities, sometimes up to 165 acorns a day.

Care Considerations for Pet Chipmunks

While chipmunks are delightful pets, they require specialised care and commitment. Their lively nature means they do not make suitable pets for young children, though kids often enjoy watching their playful behaviours. Ensuring a secure, escape-proof enclosure is vital as chipmunks are excellent at slipping through small gaps.

Pet owners should research well to provide appropriate diet, habitat enrichment, and understanding of their helpful behaviours such as burrowing and food storing practices.

Hibernation or torpor periods require special attention to avoid disturbing stored food and sleeping chipmunks to support their health.

Interesting Facts and Conservation Notes

• Chipmunks have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years in the wild.
• Their burrows are kept exceptionally clean and well hidden to protect against predators.
• Chipmunks play an important ecological role by dispersing seeds and aerating soil through their burrowing activities.
• They serve as prey for hawks, owls, foxes, snakes, raccoons, coyotes, and domestic cats.
• Palmer's chipmunk is among the most endangered chipmunk species.
• Popular culture features chipmunks prominently, especially through Walt Disney's famous characters Chip 'n' Dale.

Conclusion: Should You Keep a Chipmunk as a Pet?

Chipmunks are charming and industrious little creatures with fascinating behaviours and social interactions. For the right owner prepared for their specific care and enclosure requirements, they can make engaging exotic pets.

Researching their needs thoroughly and securing expert advice beforehand will ensure you provide a suitable, safe, and healthy home for these delightful rodents.