Baby Chipmunks are these quirky little rodents belonging to the squirrel family.
Out of the 25 species of Chipmunks, 24 species reside in northern America, whereas one species known as the Siberian Chipmunks resides in Asia.
How Can You Tell How Old A Baby Chipmunk Is?
Identifying the age of the baby Chipmunk is vital for the caretaker to provide for its growth and nutrition.
An infant of one week will be naked with no hair on its body. The eyes and ears of the newborn will be shut, and its size will be around 1.5-2 inches tall. A continuous feed every two hours is required for the newborn. Puppy replacement formula is recommended for the pup.
Around 2-3 weeks, the baby Chipmunk will start showing hair on its body while the eyes and ears will remain closed.
At four weeks, the pup will open its eyes for the first time, and when it completes its first month, the ears will open too.
The fifth week is when the chipmunk becomes active with its eyes becoming more focused and curious about the world.
In the sixth week, you can observe the energy boost in the chipmunk as it will start chewing more often. At this time, the housing needs to be changed from cardboard to plastic as it will be hard for the chipmunk to chew off the plastic.
From 2 weeks to 6th weeks, the pups are to be on the formula throughout the day, transitioning from five times a day to twice daily.
The seventh to eighth week is where you will see permanent color formation and a thick coat of hair. The feed will change from formula to nuts, veggies, fruit, and chow. The chipmunk will be ready to live in the wild during this time.
The ninth week is the big week for the Chipmunks as they leave their comfort and care of the provider to become independent.
Baby Chipmunk Age Chart
| Age (Weeks) | Description | Housing | Special Care | Food Type | No. Of feeds | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Newborn chipmunks have their eyes and ears closed with no hair on their body. They are about 1.5-2 inches in length. | It should be kept in a cardboard box with soft bedding such as linen and cotton. | Heat the food as the pups will not eat cold foods. | Puppy replacement formula andEsbilac formula | Every 2 hours | 1-2 ml |
| 2-3 weeks | After two weeks, hairs are visible around the body; the rest stays the same. | No change is required. | Make sure to keep them hydrated with the Pedialyte solution | Esbilac formula | 5-6 times a day | 2-3 ml |
| Four weeks | At 28 days, baby Chipmunk will open their ears, and at the one-month mark, their eyes will open. | Toys and materials like twigs should be provided for teething | Introduce lab chow in their diet as it will be a crucial component of their diet once weaned off. | Esbilac formula | Four times a day | 3-4 ml |
| Five weeks | More function of the eyes and more energetic | Change the cardboard house to a plastic carrier as they can chew out the cardboard quickly. | Use twigs of various diameters for teething purposes | Esbilac formula + Soft fruit such as bananas and apples | Three times a day | 3-4 ml |
| Six weeks | Chipmunks will get active and will try to chew everything | No change required | Same as above | Formula + Veggie, seeds, and fruits | Formula twice a day | 3-4 ml |
| 7-8 weeks | The hair will transform into a thick coat. | Set up a house with the measurements of 2×4×4 in size. This will have enough space for them to move around and rest. Make sure the cage has a nesting box of 1×1 ft attached. | Set comfortable bedding with leaves and other natural products similar to the forest. | Fruits and seeds | According to appetite | |
| 9-10 weeks | Chipmunk has learned the basics and is ready to survive in the wild. | No need for a new cage | Time to set them free | Nuts, seeds, fruits, and chow | According to appetite |
Statutory Warning
- If you find a baby chipmunk alone, do not cover it and take it away instantly. Instead, give some time for the mother to show up; if the mother doesn’t show up, then take it home.
- Make sure to keep the baby chipmunk warm and hydrated.
- Do not feed the whole goat milk as it is dangerous for the pup. Use puppy replacement milk as a formula.
- Do not overstuff the pup; check for its stomach and provide more.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about chipmunks age.
How Old Is Alvin And The Chipmunks Age?
Alvin, Simon, and Theodore from the musical Alvin and the Chipmunks are said to be 10-12 years old. Alvin, the oldest among the three, is 12 years old, and his brother Simon, who is the same age as he, was born five minutes after Alvin. Theodore is said to be ten years old.
Why Do Chipmunks Only Live 3 Years?
It is not certain that Chipmunks will only live for three years. The lifespan of Chipmunks increases if they are held in captivity and given proper care and security from predators. Although the average lifespan of various chipmunks is between 2-3 years, that is because of surviving in the wild against predators and lacking nutrition.
How Old Are The Chipmunks In The Movies?
The ages of Chipmunks in Alvin and the Chipmunks were from 8-16 till the fourth movie.
Who Is The Oldest Chipmunk?
Despite being quick-witted and slightly bigger than Alvin, Simon is the middle child. Alvin is the oldest and the troublesome chipmunk among all.
Are Chipmunks Good For Anything?
Interestingly, they help the tree roots by eating various fungi, seeds, and spores. Their excrement scatters mycorrhizal fungi, which are essential for plants for water absorption. In this way, Chipmunks are advantageous for the trees.
Who Is Alvin’s Girlfriend?
In The Squeakquel, Brittany and Alvin end up together as a happy couple. Throughout the show, Alvin and Brittany had a love and hate relationship, but they always made up and cared for each other in their own ways.
How Old Are Baby Chipmunks When They Leave The Nest?
Baby Chipmunks leave the burrow when they are forty-five days old, around 4-6 weeks. Baby Chipmunks open their eyes at four weeks and get their hearing simultaneously. After eight weeks, their mothers send them off to survive in the wild.
What Do 4 Week Old Chipmunks Eat?
At four weeks old, feed the baby Chipmunk Esbilac as the formula four times a day. As the baby Chipmunk grows older, add soft fruits and pellets to its diet.
What Does Chipmunk Clucking Mean?
Clicking is a low-pitched vocal signal to let other chipmunks know about the possible danger of predators. The second function of clucking is to scare the upcoming predators temporarily.
Final Words
In the early stages, baby chipmunks are extremely sensitive and vulnerable and require special attention to survive. Nobody can care better for them than the mothers; if the pup is orphaned, it will be tough for the pup to stay alive.
Adequate care and nutrition should be provided to the pup with reference to its age type mentioned above.
Further Readings:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipmunk
- https://www.heavenswildliferescue.org/if-you-find-a-baby-chipmunk-or-groundhog
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