Most of us can agree that chipmunks are adorable. From the chirping sound they make to their fat, puffy cheeks and feather boa-like tails, who doesn’t love watching these furry little critters scampering about?
Although chipmunks don’t usually cause extensive destruction to property, they do dig up gardens while harvesting fruits and nuts. And their burrowing can damage patios, retaining walls, stairs and foundations.
Here, we take a closer look at chipmunks: what they are, what they eat, if they’re dangerous or not, and reasons why you might want to get rid of them.
Also, learn how to get rid of raccoons.
What Is a Chipmunk?
Often confused with tree squirrels, chipmunks are mostly ground-dwelling rodents that live primarily in wooded, forested habitats. To the untrained eye, chipmunks and squirrels may seem similar, but they’re not.
Unlike squirrels, chipmunks have tan to reddish-brown coats with five dark stripes running down their backs and heads. They also carry their bushy tails upright and are quite a bit smaller. The average chipmunk is around five to six inches long; squirrels run 11- to 13-inches long.
What Do Chipmunks Eat?
Chipmunks are omnivores, so they’ll eat almost anything: vegetables, berries, roots, bulbs, nuts and seeds, bugs, snails, bird’s eggs and even snakes. After stuffing their cheeks with food, they carry it to their burrows and store it for the winter.
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