eChipmunks

chipmunks?

are chipmunks good pets? are they easily trained or anything, and would they be good together in a cage if raised from a baby to an adult with each other. what do they eat and what do they cost if you buy ine from a pet shop or something. sprry for so many questions in one, but im a lil low in points right now. .thanks for the help!

Public Comments

1. You cannot purchase a chipmunk from a pet store- they are wild animals and do not make good pets. They belong in the wild so please keep them in the wild. You cannot take an animal like a chipmunk out of the wild and expect it to live happily indoors with humans. I did home 3 baby squirrels and 1 baby chipmunk before; however, the squirrels mother was run over and they were left and the chipmunk was injured by a cat so I had to get them back to health (with minimum human contact) before they could return to the wild and live a healthy life. Also, I was trained in working with such animals so I knew what I was actually doing. Trust me, they do not make good pets and they belong in the wild.
2. Chipmunks make horrible pets and do not do well in cages at all. They're climbers, jumpers, chewers, and hiders and VERY VERY messy. It's nothing like having a hamster or any other ground-dwelling rodent. They need a massive cage - something like a flight cage for birds (ABSOLUTE minimum size: 1.2 m high or base plus length plus height of 3.5–4.5 m). Actually, if you look up sugar-glider care you'll find a lot of useful information as the requirements (aside from dietary) are quite similar. There's really not enough information on chipmunk care because no one in their right mind really keeps them as pets. They will eat nuts, seeds, berries, fruit, insects and occassionally fungi, grass and leaves. Instead of feeding insects you can supplement those requirements with a small amount of cat or dog food. As for purchasing them - I wouldn't have a clue as they are illegal to own here in Canada. I have just raised orphans. Adult males tend to fight with each other so if you would want a pair - best to have two females. Keep in mind that they will usually remain wild and only semi-tame. They will be jumpy, easily stressed and not so easy to handle when they reach maturity.
3. Personally - I think chipmunks make great pets. I had some for 15 years. They are very, very clean and choose a small corner of their housing area to use as a toilet. They do need a HUGE! cage at least 5ft tall that includes tree fruit branches, ropes and other toys to play on. They cant be trained to do anything but they will take nuts form your hand and they like to be up high as possible and will climb up onto your shoulder and head eventually when they are quite sure you are not going to kill them. You can NEVER pick up a chipmunk, they have to want to come to you. If they are not tame and used to humans from birth they will probably never trust you enough to do this. They need out for runs is a secure, **sealed** room. Is it leagal to keep them? It depends where you live. In the UK and Ireland yes absolutely. Be aware that they hibernate in winter and read everything on the webpage below before you think about getting some they take up a LOT! of space!!! How much they cost etc. depends where you live. Whether or not they can be kept outside also depends where you llive. It is to cold in Britain they have to be indoors. Anymore questions feel free to e-mail me!
4. chipmunks are wild animals they are not supposed to be kept in a cage. i would not recommend it.
5. Chipmunks are not good pets! They're too much wild! If you want a small, cute, nice pet why don't you try sugar gliders, flying squirrels or simply an hamster? kiss xx Happy New Year
6. Chipmunks are not legal pets in every state, so the first thing you need to do is check your state's laws. If it is legal to own a chipmunk, then you need to find a breeder - you (obviously) can not just capture a wild chipmunk - that would be illegal and dangerous (wild chipmunks bite and can carry diseases, and are not suited to captivity). Many breeders of pet chipmunks in the US do not have native American chipmunks, as many states do not allow native wildlife to be kept as pets, even when the animals are captive-bred and not taken from the wild. A few breed Least Chipmunks, a breed I do not thnink is suitable as a pet, but obviously many people would disagree with my opinion. If you find your state allows chipmunks as pets, do a web search for chipmunk breeders in or near your state. The breeders will be able to give you all the info on suitable habitat, food, veterinary care, etc. Be sure, if you get a chipmunk, that you find a vet that is experienced with that species BEFORE you get the animal. Once you have it, if there is an emergency and you need a vet in a hurry, there is no time to be looking through the phone book and trying to find a vet that will be able to treat your pet. Ask the breeder that you purchase the chipmunk from if hr/she can recommend a good vet. Once you find a good vet, ask for the name and phone number of at least two more vets that can treat your chipmunk in an emergency if your vet is unavailable. Good luck!