We all know the tiny squirrels famous for their spontaneous nature and behavior of keeping nuts in their mouth. But there are other species in the family called chipmunks (similar to squirrels), mainly habituated in the ground. Unlike squirrels, do chipmunks climb trees?
Chipmunks can climb trees and practice the ability regularly due to their search for food and nuts. However, they are not the best climbers. A chipmunk can climb about 3 feet in a tree on average. But it depends on the situation. Climbing stops during winter as they hibernate.
Chipmunks are pretty tiny, even smaller than squirrels. And due to their little legs, they can’t climb higher and are at risk of falling.
Can Chipmunks Climb Trees?
Yes, chipmunks can definitely climb trees because they come from the squirrel family. So, they have the by-born talent to climb trees. Some people might make a mistake thinking chipmunks and squirrels are the same.
But they are not. They can climb trees, but not very high like the squirrels. They don’t like to climb unless they have to. As chipmunks are not the best climbers, many get injured due to falls. Therefore, chipmunks always want to stay close to the ground.
In pursuit of food, a chipmunk can climb almost anything, such as bird feeders, downspouts, trees, etc.
When Does A Chipmunk Climb A Tree?
The first thing you should know about chipmunks is that they are foodies by nature. They like storing their food to avoid starvation during hibernation in cold seasons.
During summer, chipmunks collect food from their surroundings. You will see more frequent up and down from trees to gather nuts in November. Most often, their mouth is filled with nuts and acorns.
They collect these nuts from different places and bring them to their burrows through their mouths. The process continues until there’s no space left in the burrow for food.
One crucial thing to remember is that they don’t sleep all winter. Chipmunks need to move now and then to get blood circulation smooth. They also eat reserve-laden nuts filled with protein.
They must dig more and collect more food to make the reserve bigger. If you see chipmunks’ movement rising, it will mean their reserve is much bigger than before.
Maximum Height Reach For A Chipmunk
Well, the answer is about 3 to 4 feet. But it’s not sure how high a chipmunk can climb. It actually depends on the situation of a chipmunk.
Usually, a chipmunk can jump about 3 feet from the ground on average. You should know that the legs of a squirrel and a chipmunk are not the same. That’s why you can’t compare their climbing ability despite being in the family of species. On top of that, chipmunks can adapt to climb impressive heights like squirrels because of their tiny legs.
Another thing is that chipmunks want to stay close to the ground. It can be another reason for their lower height while climbing a tree. So, if you see a chipmunk on the branches from afar, it might be a squirrel.
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Will A Chipmunk Climb Trees If Chased By Predators?
The acrobatic skills of a chipmunk are the last resort of its defense because of its strategy.
If you have chipmunks in your yard, you should know that they are not exceptionally social mammals. Instead, they communicate with others and divide their territory. Therefore, they give warning calls whenever an unknown chipmunk enters their territory.
You might sometimes hear a very “chip” sound from their vocal alert system. After hearing the sound, a chipmunk stops and freezes. When a predator chases a chipmunk, it tries to hide inside the burrow.
Most of the time, chipmunk avoids climbing during a predator chase because some birds of prey might wait or lurk around the tree. If there are no other ways and trees are nearby, they risk climbing the trees to get rid of predators.
Can A Chipmunk Sleep In Tree Branches?
Imagine seeing one of the mammals peeking from a tree stump, yawning and stretching its muscles. Thinking the chipmunks might sleep well? But your idea is entirely wrong!
That’s because chipmunks don’t sleep in the tree branches. However, it rarely stays in its suite furnished with local wood. Chipmunks might hide in the stumps during summertime. So, the situation you noticed earlier is that it might be tired of hiding or something.
It’s their habit to return to their burrow regularly. Each hole dug by the chipmunks is part of their vast networking system, a local underground facility. Each hole can give access to several exit points and entrances. So, why would a chipmunk sleep on tree branches leaving such a comfortable environment?
Therefore, thinking that a chipmunk might sleep in the trees is pointless!
Does A Chipmunk Make A Nest In Trees Due To Climbing Ability?
We can find chipmunks where lots of shrubs or suburban trees are available. But don’t get into the misconception that chipmunks make nests in trees.
They only choose the area to have enough food supply and get enough cover from predators. Chipmunks make their home in underground burrows. Some of them might live in bushes, logs, or nests. But burrows are the ultimate option.
So, chipmunks don’t make nests in trees despite their climbing ability. Their burrows are about two inches wide.
A chipmunk stays careful while moving fresh dirt from the opening. Otherwise, predators might notice. In trees, they don’t get such options.
Final Words
Despite being in the squirrel family, chipmunks are not good at climbing. So, they can only climb around 3 feet in a tree on average. However, they stay at risk of falling if they climb high due to some situation.
Hopefully, the discussion on chipmunks climbing trees has covered all the necessary topics. So, next time you see a chipmunk, don’t mix it with a squirrel before taking a good look at it!