Ever spotted tiny holes around your yard or house and wondered if chipmunks could be the culprits? You’re definitely not alone. These little guys are shockingly flexible when it comes to squeezing through tight spaces.
A chipmunk can fit through a hole as small as 2 inches wide. Even the tiniest cracks can turn into a front door for them.
Knowing this makes it easier to spot possible entry points before chipmunks start causing headaches. Their burrow entrances usually measure just a few inches wide, so you might miss them if you’re not really looking.
If you want to figure out how chipmunks pull off these tight squeezes—and what you can actually do to stop them—stick around. Spotting risks early can save you a ton of trouble.
Chipmunk Size and Physical Abilities
You might wonder how chipmunks manage to fit into such tiny spaces. Their body size, bone structure, and the way they compare to animals like squirrels and mice all play a role in what they can squeeze through.
Typical Body Dimensions
Chipmunks usually measure about 8 to 12 inches long, and that includes their tails. Their bodies stay pretty slim, weighing just 2 to 5 ounces.
The burrow openings they dig are usually 2 to 3 inches wide, which lines up with their body size.
Mice, being smaller and lighter, need even tinier holes. Gray squirrels and flying squirrels are bigger and definitely can’t fit through the same holes as chipmunks.
Ground squirrels might be close in size, but they often use bigger entrances.
So, chipmunks can squeeze through narrow spaces, but not the super tiny ones like mice can.
Flexible Bones and Squeezing Behavior
Chipmunks have flexible bones in their shoulders and ribs, which is pretty cool. This lets them squeeze through holes that are just a bit smaller than their body width.
They’ll flatten themselves out and wiggle through gaps. If a hole is about 2 inches wide, a chipmunk can usually twist and slide right in.
Mice, by comparison, have even more flexibility and can fit through holes as small as ¼ inch. Chipmunks aren’t quite that bendy, but they’re still pretty skilled at finding and using tight spaces in the ground or around wood piles.
Differences From Squirrels and Mice
It’s easy to mix up chipmunks with small squirrels or large mice, but they’re actually different. Gray and flying squirrels are bigger and need much larger holes.
They just can’t squeeze through a 3-inch hole like chipmunks do.
Mice, on the other hand, are tiny and can slip through holes the size of a quarter or even less. Chipmunks don’t have that advantage.
Ground squirrels are somewhere in the middle. Sometimes they use bigger burrow entrances, but they do share some habits with chipmunks.
So, chipmunks use holes about 2 to 3 inches wide—small, but not as tiny as mouse holes.
If you want to dig deeper into chipmunk burrows and see how their size matches up, check out this Chipmunk Holes guide.
Smallest Hole Sizes Chipmunks Can Fit Through
Chipmunks only need a surprisingly small hole to get inside. That makes it tough to spot all their possible entry points.
Knowing the actual sizes helps you find and seal these gaps before chipmunks move in.
Entryway Measurements in the Wild
Chipmunks usually dig entrance holes that are 2 to 3 inches wide. That’s just enough for their bodies to slip through comfortably.
You’ll often find these holes near rocks, under patios, or by fallen logs, and they typically don’t leave big dirt piles outside.
Sometimes, even an opening the size of a quarter (about 1 inch across) is enough for a chipmunk to squeeze through. Any small gap around your foundation, doors, or vents that’s this size or bigger could be a risk.
Their burrows can run up to 10 feet underground and be as deep as 2 feet. The entrance size stays about the same, since chipmunks carry dirt inside to block off temporary tunnels rather than leaving big piles outside.
Comparing Hole Sizes: Chipmunks Versus Mice and Squirrels
Ever wondered how chipmunks stack up against other little critters like mice or squirrels when it comes to squeezing through holes?
- Mice are so tiny—they’ll slip through holes as small as 1/4 inch.
- Ground squirrels need a bit more room, aiming for openings closer to 3 inches.
- Gray squirrels and flying squirrels? They’re looking for much bigger holes, usually 4 inches or more.
If you compare chipmunks to mice, chipmunks definitely need a bigger gap. Still, their requirements are much less than what most squirrels demand.
Honestly, if you spot a gap about the size of a quarter, it’s worth sealing it up to keep chipmunks out. That little bit of awareness could save you a lot of hassle with these curious rodents.
Want more details on spotting these holes? Check out this chipmunk holes guide.
