How Many Chipmunks Can Live Together? – Find Your Answer Here
So many chipmunks in the yard- they must be living and dining together. But no, they are not! Most of what we think about these small rodent species is incorrect. Do they live together? How many chipmunks can live together in a burrow? Oh, let’s not be confused anymore! Let us brief it for you!
One Chipmunk at a Time
A lot of people might think seeing the number of chipmunks around the world that they might have been living in a group this whole time. But that isn’t true. So, how many chipmunks live in a burrow, and how do they live? First thing first, CHIPMUNKS DON’T LIVE TOGETHER.
Whoever told you this doesn’t know the nature of rodents. These animals like isolation than communication. And for most of the year, they prefer to live alone. The burrows of chipmunks can be 10 to 40 feet long at times.
These rodents tend to create their burrows in compartments or rooms. Such information is what makes people confused. Though they create long burrows with lots of rooms, they do it only for themselves. If you call it selfish- well, they don’t mind! One chipmunk lives in one burrow- that’s it, end of story!
Chipmunks and Socialization
Are chipmunks social in their community? Do they even sit for the family dinner? Well, yes chipmunks are mammals but they are not humans! Often, you might see more than one chipmunk around each other in your garden eating fruits and seeds. But no, they are not social.
They might be around each other for the time being but they don’t live together. As much as they can, they avoid communications with other chipmunks. At times, do you wonder how many chipmunks are there in the world? If we count, there are more than 25 species of chipmunks in this world.
And even then, they are not social enough. Also, they don’t like to invite other chipmunks into their burrows (without the mating season.) To keep the burrow safe, the intruders should be away! They don’t like each other, but do you like them? Get your eyes on-are chipmunks destructive to know if you should like them or not!
· The Communication Process of Chipmunk Community
Chipmunks love their peace- they don’t socialize much. But they don’t forget about their colony or community. They do not live in the same burrow but they live together in one place. About 7 to 11 chipmunks try to make a community and stay in one place- of course digging different burrows for themselves.
They stay together to survive. When there is a predator, the community members get active to send notifications through making noise or sound. This is their survival technique. Also, they don’t live everywhere on this earth, they have weather preferences. Have a look at –where do chipmunks live first!
Isolation vs. Reproduction: Chipmunks Breeding
We have already called it a day when we told you that chipmunks love the isolation and they prefer to stay without socializing. Also, we have mentioned that they live alone in their burrow (they have worked hard to make it, why not?)
But that takes us to the question of breeding. If they stay isolated the whole year, how do they breed and continue the reproduction cycle? Well, this is why we told you they prefer staying alone almost the whole year- not the whole year!
In the case of breeding, they only have one breeding cycle in one year. The breeding period is from February to July. And almost all of the mating season occurs from April to May. However, if the weather is warm, there can be another mating season for them too.
Only when the mating season comes, the male chipmunks compete for getting a partner. They make a chipping sound! Now you know why they are called CHIPMUNKS, uh? After they compete, they get into the female burrows to search for their partners. They stay together for the mating process but it is brief.
· Baby Chipmunk and the Mother
Right after the mating process is done, the male chipmunks leave. In this case, keep in mind that the mating process can occur more than once too. When the female chipmunk gets pregnant and gives birth to the baby chipmunks, at times, the female one can live with the father of the baby chipmunks for a while.
This isn’t compulsory but at times, this happens too. The babies stay with their mother for 40-45 days and then leave for creating their burrow. Check out –how long do chipmunks live to know when they turn adults and when they die.
Interestingly, the kid chipmunk has to leave the area of his birth as soon as he comes of age. The community of chipmunks living in that area ensures that the kid leaves that place and digs burrows in a distant area.
Other Chipmunk Species
The process we have mentioned above is the same for almost all the Eastern and Western chipmunks. However, there are differences too. In the case of long-eared and yellow-pine or red-tailed (only a few) chipmunks, it’s common to see than make a nest in trees around her. This works for the female chipmunks.
When they are pregnant, they climb trees and create nests. They ensure that it’s above the ground. The kids are given birth in this place mostly. Only the long-eared chipmunk mothers give birth in their holes and then move to the nest with their babies. After 40-45 days, when the babies are in their weaning age.
Wrap Up
Now you know that chipmunks don’t sleep and eat together! While you might see them in your garden and roll your eyes on them just to admire them, they are going to destroy your garden. They might not live together but they are smart. Keep your eyes open!
