Description
Scientific name: Tamias striatus
Life span: Up to 5- 10 years in captivity
The chipmunks are beautiful and active squirrels that are also known as striped squirrels. They are small in size and have an 8- 16 cm body length. Their body weight is about 70- 142 grams. Their tail is hairy and longer in length which is 6-14 cm in length. Chipmunks’ bodies have reddish brown colored fur that has 5-6 black and white alternate strips. They have the distinguishing character of extensive cheek pouches in which they carry food. They have small and sharp claws, large eyes, and ears. They are diurnal in nature. They are omnivorous and eat nuts, buds, seeds, shoots, small insects, and fruits.
Native Region/Habitat
The chipmunks are native to North America. They inhabit burrows, dens, plains, forests, mountains, and deserts.
As Pet
Behavior/Temperament
The chipmunk is a solitary and bottom-dwelling animal. They prefer to spend their time alone in burrows, dens, and tunnels. During winters they hibernate themselves in burrows and use the stored food until the winter ends. In captivity, they dig burrows and tunnels actively. They enjoy playing with toys, plants, and wood. They are not preferred to keep them as pets because of their free-roaming behavior. Chipmunk is not a very social animal; they do not like to interact with a human. They get scared very easily and it is very difficult to tame and handle them. They hate cuddling.
Care/Grooming
In captivity, chipmunks require a lot of close attention. The best grounds for these animals are sterilized soil, marshy ground, and grass in order to keep the enclosure odor-free and sanitary. They frequently suffer from respiratory ailments and parasite infestations in their fur. To prevent these issues, the enclosure has to be tidy and clean. The cage has to be bigger so that chipmunks may move about and play without difficulty.
Table
