Text Box: Text Box: Helen's Little Critters Text Box: Chipmunk Care and Facts: Average Lifespan: 7-9 years Size at adulthood: 6 Inch body length Diet: We feed our chipmunks a quality seed mix with shelled nuts to chew on. Fruit and leafy greens are given weekly. Minimum Cage size: A medium or large size bird cage with 1/4 inch wire spacing or smaller Text Box: Chipmunks Text Box: Frequently Asked Questions: Q:Do they have scent glands or a smell? A: No they do not have scent glands or a smell. Q: Do they require any vaccinations? A: No vaccinations are needed. Q: What is their general personality? A: Curious, loves attention and to play Q: How are they with other pets? A: I would only introduce a chipmunk to another chipmunk. Larger animals may frighten them. Q: Can I take my chipmunk outside? A: No, your chipmunk will more than likely run up the nearest tree. It is best to take your chipmunk outside in a cage or kennel. Q: Should I get two, so my chipmunk wont be lonely? A: Chipmunks do very well with two since they have a play mate whenever they want to play. However, it is not imperative to get two, many squirrels are fine by themselves. Q: If I get two will the chipmunks bond with me less? A: No. The chipmunks will bond with each other and you. There’s plenty of bonding to go around! Q: How do I make my chipmunk bond to me? A: Our baby chipmunks are adopted at 6 weeks of age, and they will require 3 daily hand feedings until they are about 8-9 weeks old. Hand feeding is imperative for the bonding and socialization of your baby chipmunk. It is also very important that you spend more than 3 hours a day with your chipmunk by either letting it sleep in your pocket or in a bonding pouch and getting it out to play. This will occur for the weeks that you are hand feeding it. After the baby is fully weaned, it should be bonded very deeply to you. It will enjoy it when you get it out to play and when you let it run around on you. Q: Will my chipmunk bond only to one person? A: Generally the chipmunk will bond with everyone in the house that handles it regularly. It can become agitated by strangers if you do not introduce it to any “new” people during the first 6 months. Q: Can I let my chipmunk run free in my home? A: My personal answer is no. But many people do let their chipmunk run free and leave their cage open all day for them to get out. It is very easy for a squirrel to get hurt by drowning, jumping on to dangerous objects, falling, trying to jump through glass, and they can easily get lost.