Education & Higher Learning

Caring for Baby Chipmunks

Baby chipmunks are fragile and if proper care is not administered to them, they may die if left unattended. Like all babies, chipmunks need their mother for survival, when you find a deserted chipmunk ensure that you keep the baby chipmunk safe from predators in the very place where you spotted them. In case the mother is still around, she will come in search of her offspring, however, administer it a few drops of liquid food at regular intervals to aid the baby in sustaining through the day. Also remember to keep the baby chipmunk warm to curtail it from dying. If you find that the mother does not come back, take the chipmunks home and provide it with the much-needed nourishment and warmth. Firstly, it is essential that you determine the age of the chipmunk in order to give it proper nourishment. Follow the chart to know the age of the chipmunk and its characteristics.

Feeding Baby Chipmunks

• Administer feed proportions according to age of the baby chipmunk.
• Make sure to give warm (body temperature) liquid to the baby chipmunk.
• Add high protein, dry cereal to milk. Ensure it is thin enough to pass through the nipple of the feeder.
• Esbilac is a good source of nourishment for baby chipmunks.
• Provide needed salts through electrolyte solution, take care of the doses to be administered.
• Provide crackers and raw veggie bits to the chipmunks once they are old enough to eat solids.
• All types of fruits are favorable to be given to infant chipmunks.
• You can even throw in some nuts and seeds for your baby chipmunk.

Statutory Warning

• Avoid feeding whole goat milk, vitamin drops, iron drops or Karo syrup as it may cause death.
• Do not overfeed the baby chipmunk as it may result in diarrhea.
• Feed nuts and seeds in moderation to avoid fattening of the chipmunk.
• Provide water in a bottle to avoid accidental spills.

Protecting Chipmunks from the Surrounding

• Baby chipmunks, if left unattended, are prone to predators lurking around in the form of cats, dogs, snakes, and not to forget ants.
• When you find an abandoned baby chipmunk, carefully take the baby home and provide it with the needed nourishment and warmth.
• Place the chipmunks in a basket/box lined with a bed of flannel cloth, if their skin is very thin and their internal organs are easily visible.
• Avoid wooden chips and shavings as these will get wet and possibly harm the young chipmunks.
• Keep the basket/box well guarded from possible predators, by surrounding the basket with close knit wire mesh.
• Ensure there are no loose threads or holes in the flannel cloth to avoid accidental death.
• Keep a check on the baby chipmunks every once in a while.

Keeping Baby Chipmunks Warm

• Just like a human baby needs his/her mother’s warmth, so do baby chipmunks need to be kept warm for their survival.
• When you place the baby chipmunk in a box, ensure that it will keep them warm.
• Place a warm water bottle in the box to provide warmth.
• Keep a check on the water temperature and refill with warm water constantly.
• Besides, you can even place the box under 100 watt bulb to keep the chipmunks warm.
• Make a quick temperature check after 15 minutes to ensure the temperature is not above 90°F and not under 75°F.
• Throw in some soft toy that will act as a foster mother for the young chipmunks to cuddle up to.
• Discontinue using a bulb to keep them warm, after they have fully developed their fur.

General Care for Baby Chipmunks

• The most important factor while taking care of chipmunks is to ensure they are well-hydrated.
• While feeding the chipmunks, be in control of the feed, as infants try to lap up too much too soon.
• If the baby begins to sneeze due to excessive feed, gently turn it over and stroke its back.
• Stimulate the baby using a warm and moistened Q-tip, to rub its genitals, to encourage urination and defecation, every time you feed.
• If the baby chipmunk shows symptoms of diarrhea, discontinue milk feed, or reduce the number of feeds.
• Remember to replace the sheets every day, to ensure hygienic conditions for the chipmunk.
• Disinfect the chipmunk’s cage every week.
• Do not forget to dust the chipmunks with rotenone powder to ward off fleas and lice.
• Remember to clean/wipe the face, of the baby chipmunk after every feed to avoid damage to whiskers and fur.

These tips will help you take care of the abandoned chipmunk, and provide it some much-needed shelter. However, do not forget to consult a local vet to help you go about with caring for the infant. Also, bear in mind that it is considered an offense to cage wild animals. Seek permission from authorities before you venture to make it your pet.