The Siberian chipmunk
Semi-wild, lively, to be respected
This small squirrel (also called a chipmunk) has a grey-beige coat striped with five black bands. Lively and fast, it enjoys living in a group but remains hard to tame: it is not fond of human contact, and only young animals get used to being handled. It is an animal made more for watching than for cuddling.
Its living environment
- An excellent climber, it needs a tall aviary, with thick branches and wooden shelters imitating its burrow. Take care: with wire mesh larger than 2 cm it will escape.
- Bedding of peat or, better still, good-quality hay, to be changed as soon as a smell appears (the squirrel itself is odourless).
- Not demanding about temperature, it can live outdoors and hibernates from October to March-April. It needs good ventilation and hates sudden changes of temperature.
Its diet
Omnivorous, it enjoys a commercial base food and a variety of seeds (walnuts, hazelnuts, maize, wheat, sunflower), supplemented with fresh food (lettuce, dandelion, bark, fruit, buds) and a little animal protein (egg, raw meat, mealworms).
Its health — what to watch for
It needs no particular care. Above all, make sure it is eating well and is not being kept away from the food by the others. Its weak point is its great sensitivity to temperature swings and to insufficient ventilation: a stable, well-aired environment is its best protection.
Content from the Au Furet veterinary practice, rewritten for owners.
In Switzerland: no permit required No permit required, but keeping is subject to the TSchV requirements on living conditions: minimum space, social contact, and appropriate feeding and care. Legal framework in detail →
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