You might spot a chipmunk darting through your yard and wonder if it’s safe—or even a good idea—to pick it up or give it a little pet. Sure, chipmunks look adorable and harmless, but honestly, you shouldn’t touch wild chipmunks with your bare hands.
They’re wild animals, after all. If they feel threatened, they can bite or scratch, and sometimes they carry diseases that could be risky for you.
Chipmunks probably don’t have rabies, but they might still carry parasites or other illnesses. Handling them stresses them out, and you could get hurt or sick.
If you come across a baby chipmunk by itself, it’s better to follow special steps to help instead of scooping it up right away.
It’s tempting to get close to chipmunks, but knowing how to interact safely keeps everyone protected. So, what should you do if you find a chipmunk nearby? And how can you enjoy watching them without touching?
Is It Okay to Touch a Chipmunk?
Touching a chipmunk shouldn’t be a casual decision. You need to consider their natural instincts, the laws that protect wild animals, and the health risks before you even think about reaching out.
Wild Chipmunk Behavior and Human Interaction
Chipmunks usually keep their distance from people. They’re quick and nervous little creatures, using sharp chirps to talk with each other.
If a chipmunk comes close or grabs food from your hand, it’s probably just gotten used to humans being around. That doesn’t mean it wants to be touched, though.
Most chipmunks will dash away if you try to touch them. If you spot one, just watch from a distance and enjoy.
Wild chipmunks become independent after about nine weeks. The younger ones stay hidden in their dens, so you rarely see them.
Too much handling can stress them out or even hurt them.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
A lot of states make it illegal to catch or keep wild animals like chipmunks. These rules exist to protect chipmunks and other wildlife from harm and from being taken out of their homes.
Don’t try to keep a chipmunk as a pet or remove it from the wild. Even if you find an injured or baby chipmunk, the best thing you can do is reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator.
These folks know what they’re doing and can care for the animal properly. Letting chipmunks stay in their natural environment helps keep everything balanced.
Health Risks Associated with Touching Chipmunks
Chipmunks can bite or scratch you, and that’s not all—they might carry diseases or parasites. Rabies isn’t common, but other illnesses are still a risk.
If a chipmunk bites or scratches you, you could end up with an infection. It’s really best to avoid direct contact, especially if you don’t have gloves.
If you absolutely have to handle one, like to help a baby, wear thick gloves and wash your hands right after. Chipmunks are wild and unpredictable if they feel scared.
For more info on how to help wild chipmunks safely, check out this guide on helping chipmunks.
What to Do If You Find a Chipmunk in Need of Help
If you come across a chipmunk that looks hurt or lost, you’ll want to act carefully to keep it safe and healthy.
Knowing when to call in the pros and how to respond can make a big difference for the chipmunk’s chances.
When to Contact a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if the chipmunk is injured, sick, or really young. Look for signs like wounds, bleeding, odd behavior (like acting dizzy or super tired), or if a pet attacked the chipmunk.
If you find a kit that isn’t fully furred, has closed eyes, or has parasites like fly eggs, that’s an emergency. Licensed rehabilitators have the training and permits to help.
They can also tell you how to move the chipmunk safely without making things worse.
Safe Ways to Respond to Injured or Orphaned Chipmunks
Wear thick gloves when you handle a chipmunk. Those little teeth can really hurt if they bite.
Don’t feed the animal or give it water. You might mean well, but this can actually do more harm than good or hide important symptoms from the rehabilitator.
If the chipmunk isn’t hurt and you find its den nearby, try to put it back close to home. If you need to keep it for a bit, keep it warm with a wrapped hot water bottle or something similar.
Put the chipmunk in a small box it can’t escape from, and set the box somewhere quiet. After that, leave the area and watch from a distance so the mother feels safe enough to come back.
If the mother hasn’t returned by the next morning, contact a rehabilitator for help.
You can find more advice in this guide on how to help an injured or abandoned chipmunk.
