Chipmunks Breeding

Chipmunks are social animals belonging to the squirrel family. They are usually found in Africa and North America. There are twenty five varieties of chipmunks in the world. They look similar to squirrels and their peculiar characteristic is that their faces are stripped. Let us check out how chipmunks breeding took place and some facts about them.

It is comparatively easier to breed a chipmunk than any other pet. The only condition required is that you have to provide them with the adequate conditions and requirements. These animals prefer to live in groups.

Chipmunks breeding should be done amongst the young ones. They are healthy and would ensure healthy breeding activity as well. Purchasing a chipmunk in pairs is to be done. Chipmunks of both the sexes are to be purchased for breeding.

The right time for mating can be checked by closely examining the female chipmunk. The chipmunks that are to mated should be given a new cage. They would adjust together in the new cage easily. The ideal period for breeding a chipmunk is during the spring or the summer season.

At the time of mating, they chase each other for a few minutes. Once the chipmunk is pregnant, it would give birth in around twenty eight to thirty days.

Things to be considered for Chipmunks breeding include:

• Check whether there is ample of space in the cage for the chipmunk to breed and for the young ones
• The prices of selling the young ones or if you are not selling, check for the availability of place for their dwelling as well
• Confirm the sex of the chipmunk before mating
• Determine the sex of the chipmunk before purchasing
• Opt for cross-breeding i.e. breeding with mates not belonging to the family
• Avoid the breeding of the chipmunk of the same family. It would lead to many deformities of the new babies
• Select a chipmunk with bright shiny eyes and clean fur for breeding
• Care should be taken to provide adequate amount of food and water to the chipmunk during and after the period of pregnancy
• The cage should be large enough to accommodate the chipmunks and the off springs
• Chipmunks become mature after one year of their birth
• Ideally, it is good to keep more number of females in the cage than males for breeding
• A Female chipmunk mates with many males during the mating season

They breed twice in a year. The conception period of chipmunks is thirty days. The male and female chipmunk raises the young ones. Litters of five to seven healthy chipmunks can be given birth to in one mating season. The more number of pregnancies of a female chipmunk would reduce the life span of the chipmunk. Male chipmunks are more attentive towards their young ones.

The average life span of the chipmunk is two to seven years. The young ones born are mostly blind and do not have fur. Avoid cleaning and disturbing the chipmunk and new born babies. Once they are matured, they live an independent life. The process of hibernation is stopped by the males first.

The young ones are given birth in the burrows and they live their till they attain maturity and collect their own food. The young ones live in their burrow usually for six to eight weeks after their birth and then leave it. They collect their own food and store food for winter.

There are two mating season for Chipmunk breeding. They include:

• February to April
• June to August

Female chipmunks remain very active during the period of pregnancy. They become more aggressive and possessive about their private space during the gestation period. They don’t like any intrusions. Chipmunks breeding can be undertaken in the captivity. Mostly they are bred in captivity nowadays.

Chipmunk breeding is not an easy task. It is necessary to be well acquainted with the facts about chipmunks and then opt for breeding them.