Chipmunks Environment

They require a large, well ventilated cage, a minimum of three foot high. The best option for them if possible is a large, outdoor aviary with multiple sections if breeding so the breeding pair can be housed separately during mating season. If constructing your own indoor aviary a pull out tray is vital to make cleaning day much easier. Chicken wire should not be used since Chipmunks can chew through this and if breeding then you must ensure you use a very fine mesh so pups cannot escape.

They must have plenty of climbing material such as branches, rope ladders and parrot toys. You can also supply a deep container or box filled with earth for digging. A large solid-based wheel makes an excellent addition to help them burn off some of their masses of energy!

You should supply one nestbox per Chipmunk, ideally placed at similar heights around the cage. These should only be cleaned out twice a year, and not if you have a pregnant or lactating female.

Chipmunk Diet

A Chipmunks diet is fairly simple, many pet shops do commercial mixes for them such as Supa Chipmunk muesli with particular favourites being items like hemp, millet and monkey nuts. Diet for a healthy chipmunk should also include fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers and insects such as crickets, locusts and mealworms.

They must have constant access to fresh water. More than one source is best to avoid arguements and if using bottles, in case of one being chewed through. They also will hoard food so you will need to check nestboxes and remove uneaten fresh food to prevent spoilage.

Overview of Chipmunks

The most commonly available chipmunk is the Siberian Chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) however rules restricting the ownership and breeding of these came into force in the UK in 2016. It is no longer legal to buy or sell Siberian Chipmunks.

Chipmunks are small, striped squirrels that measure around 18-25cm, a third of this being tail. Their wild range covers North America and Asia and they play an important part in forest ecosystems by their hoarding and harvesting of various seeds. They live in elaborate burrow systems in loose colonies.

Chipmunks are sometimes known as ground squirrels and do spend a significant amount of time foraging on the forest floor. They have prominant stripings with a wider colour variation in the Eastern Chipmunk as shown in the pictures to the right.

They can live around 6-10 years in captivity and can become relatively tame, although their general speed and small size does not make handling of them easy. The require a large aviary and plenty of enrichment to be happy.

Some chipmunks can be tamed down quite well, depending on whether they are used to an aviary or indoor environment. They do not make good pets for young children; see our section on handling chipmunks.

Your Chipmunks diet is quite simple, although they do appreciate a variety and it is best to provide multiple food and watering stations to avoid arguements.