Chipmunks as Pets

The difference between chipmunks and squirrels is that chipmunks have stripes on their faces, whereas squirrels have stripes on their back. Squirrels are also bigger than chipmunks. So, while buying chipmunks as pets, the first thing to look for is a chipmunk and not a squirrel!

Chipmunk Facts

• There are totally twenty-five species of chipmunks. Chipmunks are found only in North America, however, there is one exception of one chipmunk species, which is found in North Asia.
• One surprising fact about chipmunks is that, in the wild, chipmunks live for about three years, but when captivated, they are said to live for eight years!
• Chipmunks have a place inside their mouths which is called as cheek pouches. Chipmunks gather their food in these cheek pouches and carry it to their burrows!
• They hibernate during the winter season.
• Though chipmunks are considered as one of the most innocent looking creatures, they are also known as one of the toughest pets in the world! Don't worry, they don't do anything other than eating fruit bulbs, seeds and branches of shrubs!
• They store food for winter season, as they hibernate during this time. Chipmunks can carry around eight to nine nuts at a time!
• There was a movie called 'Alvin and the Chipmunks', wherein three animated chipmunks were featured as the lead heroes!

Chipmunks as Pets

So, now that you are familiar with chipmunks, let's see if it is possible to keep chipmunks as pets, and what are the things that need to be kept in mind if you have them as pets.

Housing: Chipmunks can be kept in cages, but their cages have to be huge! These pets are very active, just like squirrels. They like to play and run throughout the day, and they also like to hide. In fact, hiding is a very important part of their life, as they hibernate, and also hide (store) their food. So, the cage should be spacious enough, and it should have a hiding place for their food. If it is not big, chipmunks may start feeling claustrophobic! The ideal size of the cage is 6 feet by 6 feet by 4 feet. Or you could even make a spacious outdoor run. Pine shedding or wood flakes can be put in the cage as bedding. More on pet shelters.

Food: I bet you will have a great time feeding chipmunks! Whatever you feed them, they will keep it in their cheek pockets, and start searching for a place to hide it! Nuts are their favorite food. The chipmunks literally hog on nuts, but nuts contain fat, so it is not advisable to give them too many nuts, but you can give them a nut if they behave themselves really well! Besides nuts, other pet foods for chipmunks as pets include veggies like turnip and carrots, meat pieces, worms, berries, sunflower seeds, apples and other fruits. Be careful with sunflower seeds though, as they also contain fat, so too much of sunflower seeds shouldn't be fed to them. Buy a rodent drip bottle for feeding water to your pet chipmunk. More on what do chipmunks eat.

Grooming: Chipmunks are clean animals, so you don't need to clean their fur, they keep their fur clean themselves. But you need to keep their cages clean, and wash and scrub them once in a fortnight. The chipmunks need to have sharp teeth, as nuts are their main diet. So keep some twigs for chewing. More on pet care.

Handling: While caring for chipmunks as pets, you need to keep in mind that you cannot cuddle them like a cat or dog. Chipmunks like pampering only to a certain extent. You can keep them on your shoulder and pat their backs. To make your pet chipmunk more friendly, start handling him from day one. The more it gets used to you, the more friendly it will be. Also remember that chipmunks like companions, so bring two or three chipmunks at a time.

Where to Buy: You can buy chipmunks at a pet store or from a local breeder. It is better to buy them from a local breeder because they will have lots of pet chipmunk care information. You can also get a chipmunk from animal rescuers. Look for a healthy chipmunk who is about six to eight weeks old. A healthy chipmunk will be active and will have a shiny coat. Read about pet adoption.

This was all the information regarding chipmunks as pets. Whichever pet you choose to bring home, treat it as a member of the family, especially a chipmunk, because you are taking it away from its natural habitat, so it is your responsibility to make it feel at home!