How to Teach Wild Chipmunks to Eat From Your Hands
Chipmunks are small ground-dwelling squirrels. The two primary types found in North America are eastern and western chipmunks. Their diet consists mostly of nuts and seeds. They gather food, transport it in their cheek pouches, and store it in burrows to sustain them through the winter. Chipmunks are not classified as threatened or endangered, and there are no federal laws that forbid feeding them. Some people consider chipmunks to be pests because of their destructive impact on lawns and gardens.
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Instructions
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Establish a food source. Nuts and seeds make ideal attractants. Place the food in an area where you've observed chipmunks.
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Place a chair approximately 20 feet away from the food source and sit there when chipmunks are most active to desensitize them to your presence. Gradually, during the course of at least a couple of weeks, move the chair closer to the food until you're less than 10 feet away.
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Remove the food source when you're sitting in the chair. You now become the food source. Throw food gently to the chipmunks.
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Decrease the distance you throw the food until the chipmunks are right at your feet. Feed them very close to you for several days before attempting to have them eat from your hands. You gain their trust during this time.
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Hold their favorite food in your extended hand and remain very still. It could take several minutes for them to take it from your hand. More than one attempt may be required before they take the food.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider the possible impact on your neighbors before you choose to attract chipmunks to your home.
Although chipmunks are cute and entertaining, caution should be exercised when directly interacting with them. They're wild animals and may be carriers of disease that can make you sick.
References
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