The red-tailed chipmunk is darker colored and larger than most chipmunks. The appearance of this chipmunk is generally similar to that of Tamias minimus (least chipmunk) and the yellow pine chipmunk. The color of the tail is rufous on the dorsal side with the ventral side a bright orange or brick red.

The Western Red-Tailed Chipmunk Like the eastern chipmunk, the red-tailed chipmunk’s diet consists mostly of seeds, fruits, mushrooms, insects, and bird’s eggs and nestlings.

Red-tailed Chipmunks occur in Alberta at the northeastern limit of their range. This species is not threatened on a continental basis, but the Alberta population is small and has a highly restricted distribution. Most of the Red-tailed Chipmunk’s Alberta range is protected.

Adults have a home range of 0.2-0.4 ha (0.5-1.0 acre) which may overlap with others. An individual defends the area around the burrow entrance, and is dominant to other chipmunks in this area.

Contrary to the noses of humans, chipmunks absolutely can’t stand the smells of certain strong oils like peppermint, citrus, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. Additionally, chipmunks can’t stand the smell of garlic.

scurry

The Chipettes

Chipmunks are beneficial (You can see it for yourself—it’s the white, root-like filament that grows from the roots of your potted plants, those in the ground, and possibly even in your compost bin.) Chipmunks are also beneficial as food for predators.

Chipmunks are most commonly known to spread plague, salmonella, and hantavirus. Plague is a bacterial infection that attacks the immune system. It is usually transmitted via the bites of fleas carried by infected rodents. Chipmunks spread salmonella the same way they spread plague.

Cute but dangerous: Chipmunks, although they look harmless, are anything but. Like other rodents, they carry a variety of diseases that can be spread to you and your family. Although chipmunks are not aggressive creatures, they will bite or scratch if they are cornered or feel threatened.

On a residential property, chipmunk burrowing can cause some destructive, structural damage. Since they often choose to dig their tunnels under sidewalks and driveways, near the concrete patios, porches, stairs, retention walls, and the foundation, this activity can weaken the supports leading to damage to these areas.

Since they’re rarely larger than five inches long and aren’t known to be aggressive, chipmunks usually aren’t a threat to humans or pets. But their burrowing and feeding habits can destroy vegetation and create unsightly holes along lawns. In extreme cases, their burrow holes can damage building foundations.

This species has one breeding cycle in a year, between the months of February to July, with most mating sessions take place in April or May. The gestation period is between 28 to 36 days. The females give birth to 3 to 8 infants. However, if the litter dies, the female chipmunk can enter the estrus again.

kits

Handle the baby chipmunk as little as possible, and only during care and feeding. Do not domesticate the chipmunk and treat him like a pet. Release the baby chipmunk into the wild when she is around 9 or 10 weeks old.

Chipmunks produce one or two litters a year. Chipmunks aren’t particularly choosey about what they eat. Along with seeds and fungi they scarf grain, fruit, nuts, insects, worms, bird eggs and even nestling birds and baby mice. They probably don’t hunt for eggs and hatchlings, just eat them when they find them.

When a chipmunk, or any wild animal, is cornered and feels threatened, it can bite or scratch to protect itself.

Chipmunks are adorable and considered as one of the most innocent-looking harmless creatures. It is but natural to have a desire to cuddle or pet them. But hang on, chipmunks are wild creatures and unless tamed from their birth will not allow you to touch them and may even bite if you try to.

While chipmunks are intelligent and affectionate, there are some drawbacks to keeping them in captivity. They may bite or become aggressive, they mark scent using their cheeks and urine, and care must be taken to accommodate their hibernation schedule. In the wild, chipmunks generally do not carry rabies.

Those sold as pets are most often Asian or North American breeds. Chipmunks grow to an average of 10 inches in length. If given a lot of attention when they are young, they can become very friendly pets. Just don’t expect to hold them or cuddle them.

Set up a comfortable chair 10 feet or so from the chipmunk territory and sprinkle a trail of seeds between the two. Repeat for several days until the chipmunks become accustomed to the chair. Sit in the chair and scatter a handful of seeds. Remain still for as long as you can.

Scientists have learned that white-footed mice, eastern chipmunks and short-tailed shrews can transfer the Lyme bacterium to larval ticks. Tick nymphs infected with Lyme bacteria pose the biggest threat to humans; their numbers are linked with the size of mouse populations.

Sweeney’s Mole and Gophers Poison Peanuts Pellets is a small volume option that uses flavored peanut pellets to attract and kill rodents. The poison acts quickly, killing rodents as they eat it. The unique design of the packaging is made specially for underground rodents, including chipmunks.

Chipmunks eat nuts (acorns, hazel nuts, beechnuts), seeds (from many ornamental trees, wildflowers, clover, ragweed, and sunflowers, and birdseed), flower bulbs, berries (such as raspberries, strawberries, black berries, and chokecherries), fruit (watermelon, apples, pears, peaches, cantaloupe, cherries), and wild …

They even enjoy a morsel of cheese now and then. Other effective chipmunk bait includes prune pits, unroasted peanuts, corn, sunflower seeds, cereal, grains and popcorn.

Peanut butter is, actually, the number one attractant for chipmunks. Not only is it made from nuts (which chipmunks can’t get enough of), but the sugar content is high, which keeps the chipmunks coming back for more.

You can’t have carrots grow without leaves. It is doubtful that chipmunks would be eating the leaves. Chipmunks feed on fruits, seeds, nuts and supplement with mushrooms, insects, earthworms, slugs and bird eggs. Rabbits, however, do eat wild carrots and carrot tops are a close second.

They have been known to eat bread dough, sugar, cookies, baked goods, bread pieces, chips and the like. While they eat all these items with great zest, their intake has to be carefully monitored. Too much sugar or bread can be quite harmful for their system and bones, thus causing them great harm.