Size:

20-25 cm

Weight:

0.08-0.13 kg

Origin:

North America

Lifespan:

2-3 years

Suitable as:

!-suitable-as-!

Character:

intelligent

FCI groups:

!-fci groups-!

Character

diurnal, likes to climb

Attitude

Single keeping, large cage with litter and climbing possibilities

Nutrition

Fruits, seeds, nuts, insects, molluscs

Price

from 40 €

Diurnal

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Intelligence

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Attitude in the apartment

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Suitability for children

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little:
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a lot:
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Chipmunks – Cute Bundles Of Energy

For several years chipmunks have enjoyed increasing popularity as pets. No wonder: The little rodents look cute and due to their joy of movement it is never boring to watch them.

The most common species of chipmunks in our country are the Asian chipmunk and the chipmunk. Both differ only by some fine external characteristics.

Whoever takes in a chipmunk should be aware that a chipmunk will never become a “classic cuddly animal”. In addition, a chipmunk needs a very large cage and brings by the many climbing and jumping some noise and of course dirt.

Acquisition Of A Chipmunk

First of all, you should know that chipmunks are usually absolute loners. Even in pairs of siblings, there are nasty fights at the latest from sexual maturity. In nature, the squirrels come together only for mating and then go their separate ways again. Only if you have an extremely large cage, you can possibly keep two animals. As a beginner, however, you should limit yourself to one animal in any case.

Chipmunks usually grow to about 20 cm – 25 cm long (with tail) and weigh about 80 g to 130 g.

The life expectancy of a chipmunk is about 8 years.

Please consider suitable vacation care for the chipmunk before acquiring it. Because in its large cage, you can not just give it somewhere to care for. So someone has to come into the house. Preferably someone who is familiar with the care of the animal.

But now about the acquisition of a chipmunk. You can get it from the following sources:

From The Pet Store

Chipmunks are not yet as common as, for example, hamsters and guinea pigs. Nevertheless, some pet stores now offer chipmunks.

Since these animals, as I said, are not yet so well known, in pet stores unfortunately often the expertise and the keeping conditions leave much to be desired. Ideally, the chipmunks should be housed as follows:

– Few animals in large cages with climbing facilities and several houses. The cages should make a clean impression. There should be neither rotten food nor large amounts of feces lying around.

– The chipmunks themselves should make a bright, lively impression, possibly even jumping curiously to the bars. Fearful sitting around and hiding animals are a bad sign. In addition, the chipmunks should have clear eyes, a shiny coat and a clean rear end.

– The staff should be detailed and knowledgeable in answering your questions about the chipmunks.

– The sexes should be kept separate. First, to make sure they get the sex you want, second, so they don’t come home with a pregnant female.

From The Breeder

This is often still the best way for slightly more exotic animals like the chipmunk. You can find breeders in trade magazines or on the internet. Of course, there are also a few black sheep here and you should also pay attention to the points listed above. Usually, however, a breeder has been dealing with his animals for years and can give you the best information about the attitude. A good breeder should also show you the negative sides of keeping squirrels.

From Animal Welfare

From time to time you can find chipmunks given away at animal shelters and animal protectors. These animals are often not “worse” than those from the pet shop. Sometimes they are even really tame and trusting. And since chipmunks can live up to 8 years, an animal can be a few years older.

From Private People

Chipmunks will be rather difficult to get from private people. As already said, chipmunks are loners, therefore it is quite rare to get unwanted offspring. And only a few people dare to breed specifically. It can be at most that an older chipmunk is given away. In this case you can have a look at the animal. If the attitude is okay, nothing speaks against a purchase.

Chipmunk – Cage Equipment

Unlike other small animals, the chipmunk really needs an extremely large cage. The location for it should be determined in any case before the purchase. Suitable large cages are very difficult to get in the trade and then also quite expensive. Therefore, the self-construction is the cheapest and most sensible option.

The Location

The chipmunk cage should be placed neither in drafts nor in too much heat (e.g. in front of the heater) nor in direct sunlight. Since chipmunks are diurnal, you do not mind bustle around them so much. The cage can also be placed in the living room or children’s room. Only too loud noises like very loud music and cigarette smoke they do not like at all.

The Cage

As already mentioned, a chipmunk cage can never be too big. However, the minimum size is 1 m wide, 1 m deep and 2 m high. Gladly also larger. For the back and the side walls you can use normal wooden boards (untreated of course). Preferably, it should be somewhat rougher wood, so that the chipmunk can claw well. For the front side is suitable fine mesh.

The bottom should be built in the form of a drawer, which can be easily pulled out for cleaning. This, too, can be built from wooden boards. Make sure there are no sharp or pointed edges or corners sticking out anywhere that the chipmunk can injure itself on while romping around.

The Cage Equipment

Very important for chipmunks are many and safe climbing possibilities. As a base is well suited an untreated, branched and stable branch, which runs through the entire cage. Furthermore, the chipmunk likes small platforms on which it can sit. For example, you can hang a rope from the ceiling for the chipmunk to climb up. In this case, there are no limits to your imagination. Just make sure that you do not put, for example, too narrow tubes in the cage, in which the squirrel can get stuck or there are any things on which he could hurt himself.

The bottom of the cage should be thickly lined with small animal litter. Newspaper is quite suitable as a base, which is then simply rolled up when cleaning. You can also add fine sand or untreated plant soil under the litter.

Then the chipmunk needs absolutely two to three sleep houses. It is best to take some made of sturdy wood. The plastic houses are often too small and also harmful if they are gnawed. Also such a small house can be built quite easily. If you don’t want to do that, you can also get a flat bird nesting box. It is important that the box can be opened for cleaning.

Furthermore, the chipmunk needs fresh water every day. This is best provided by a water bottle, which is attached to the outside of the grille.

Other toys are not necessary. Especially the colorful plastic toys offered in the trade are rather harmful to the animals. If a chipmunk has enough climbing possibilities, it does not need such things.

What Does A Chipmunk Cost?

Acquisition Costs

– The chipmunk itself costs from about € 60, – upwards. If animals are offered significantly cheaper, something is wrong and you should refrain from buying.

– Most expensive is probably the cage. Here the prices are very difficult to calculate. A new finished cage with inventory in the trade you get from about € 100, -.

A self-built with inventory I would estimate with about € 70, -. As I said, these are only estimated prices. It is best to find out in advance how much the material will cost you. Please do not save on the cage. The chipmunk will probably spend its whole life in it and it will suffer terribly from a too small or loveless furnished home.

Regular Costs

The maintenance costs for a chipmunk are not particularly high.

– For the bedding you would have to calculate with about € 10, – to € 15, – per month.

– The cost of special chipmunk food is about € 7, – per month. Green fodder again so approx. € 5, -, this can be branched off however naturally also from your normal fruit and vegetable need.

Irregular Costs

– Veterinary costs. Are very difficult to calculate, depending on what the chipmunk has. For a lengthy treatment, for example if the squirrel has injured itself in a fall, you should have in any case about € 150, – on the side.

– Vacation care. Best at your home. With private pet sitter about € 3,- per day.

Chipmunk And Child

Children are often fascinated by the cute little chipmunks. However, they are not recommended as typical “children’s pets”. Chipmunks are very temperamental and rambunctious, making them difficult for smaller children to keep. In addition, the chipmunk’s tail is enormously sensitive. If you pull it too hard, it can fall off in the worst case and will never grow back.

In addition, it usually takes some time and patience to first tame a chipmunk and make it hand-tame. Most children do not have this patience.

Chipmunks are more animals to watch and are therefore more suitable for older children. About 12 years old they should be in any case. For smaller children are then better suited good-natured animals such as a guinea pig or rabbit.

FAQ About Chipmunks