The lifespan of a wild chipmunk is between 2 and 3 years.Want to know more about the chipmunk species? Check out these fun facts. Patience, gentle handling, and plenty of time is the key to “taming” your pet chipmunk. Chipmunks are not cuddlers, but may eventually come to enjoy sitting on your lap or riding on your shoulder. This will startle your new fur baby, and it will respond by trying to run away. When socializing your pet chipmunk, move slowly and do not make loud noises. In fact, in some regions, this rodent is not legal to keep as a pet. NEVER try to take a chipmunk from the wild and tame it.

Handling Your ChipmunkĬhipmunks have not been in the pet world for very long, so they are still considered “semi-wild.” If purchased at a young age, your chipmunk can respond to its name and become accustomed to gentle handling. You will also want to provide your chipmunk with clean water in a gravity-bottle attached to the cage. Vary your pet chipmunks diet to ensure you are meeting all of its nutritional needs. Green leafy veggies (in small quantities).To keep your pet chipmunk healthy, the following foods will serve as an appropriate diet. Feeding a ChipmunkĬhipmunks are natural foragers and eat a wide variety of food. Tip #5 - Special heating is not needed, but be sure the enclosure is well ventilated and mouse-proof to avoid infection of your pet chipmunk. You will also need to provide your chipmunk with a nest box, measuring about 20 cm by 20 cm (if you have more than one adult, you will need to provide a nesting box for each). Since the chipmunk is a burrowing animal, you will need substrate in peat, paper, or sawdust. The enclosure should have two or three solid sides with a strong mesh front. The cage for this animal should measure a minimum of 4 feet by 3 feet by 4 feet with plenty of branches to climb on, foliage to hide in, pipes, rocks, and shelves to provide mental and physical stimulation. With this in mind, a standard hamster or gerbil cage is not appropriate for a pet chipmunk. Since the chipmunk is a busy rodent, you should provide your pet with as much room as possible. Photo by twinkal solanki on Unsplash Housing a Chipmunk However, the species does like to play and enjoys the company of other chipmunks. This rodent can also scare easily and may bite if it feels threatened, therefore it is not recommended for children.

The chipmunk as a pet will take time to socialize as it is by nature, a skittish and timid animal. Chipmunks also hibernate during the colder months starting in late autumn to early the next spring. It is diurnal, meaning it is most active during the daytime hours. In the wild, this rodent emits a bird-like chirp to warn others of approaching danger. Chipmunk’s BehaviorĪ part of the appeal of the chipmunk (aside from its adorable appearance) may be its lively and quick personality. Each foot has tiny-clawed toes designed to help these rodents dig and climb.

Flying chipmunk