You might picture chipmunks snacking on nothing but nuts and seeds, but honestly, their menu is a lot more interesting. Chipmunks will eat small animals like insects, bird eggs, and sometimes even snails. That makes them a bit more complex than just cute little rodents stashing away food.
If you’ve ever watched chipmunks up close, you’ve probably seen them hunting bugs or raiding a bird’s nest. Figuring out what animals chipmunks eat can give you a better sense of how they fit into nature and how they manage to survive out there.
Let’s look at what tiny creatures end up as part of a chipmunk’s meal.
What Animals Do Chipmunks Eat?
Chipmunks eat small animals and insects because they need the protein and energy. They don’t just stick to plants—they hunt and scavenge when they’re hungry for something different.
Learning what animals chipmunks eat makes their behavior a little easier to understand.
Insects and Invertebrates
Insects make up a big part of a chipmunk’s diet. You’ll catch them munching on beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and caterpillars.
These bugs give chipmunks protein and fats that plants just can’t provide. Chipmunks usually hunt insects during the day when they’re out and about.
They don’t stop at hard-shelled bugs, either. Chipmunks will eat spiders and snails, too.
These other invertebrates add some variety and help them stay healthy. If you pay attention, you might see chipmunks digging under leaves or poking around logs for these snacks.
Worms and Grubs
Worms and grubs are soft and easy for chipmunks to eat. You might spot a chipmunk digging in shallow dirt or poking around moist soil to find earthworms.
Worms give them proteins and minerals that help them stay strong and active.
Grubs—those fat, pale larvae you find in old wood or soil—are also on the menu. Chipmunks use their sharp teeth to pull them out.
Eating worms and grubs keeps chipmunks going, especially when there aren’t many nuts or seeds around.
Bird Eggs and Nestlings
Chipmunks sometimes go after bird eggs and nestlings. They usually raid nests that are close to the ground or easy to reach.
Eggs have a lot of protein and fat, which chipmunks need, especially during breeding season when they’re burning more energy.
They don’t depend on eggs or chicks all the time, but grabbing one now and then can help them get through tough stretches. You might even see a chipmunk sneaking up to a nest for a quick meal if food is hard to find.
Foraging Habits and Other Dietary Favorites
Chipmunks really don’t limit themselves—they eat all kinds of things, from plants and fungi to small animals. They spend much of the day gathering food, sometimes eating right away, sometimes stashing it for later.
If you want to understand what they need to stay healthy, it helps to look at their natural diet.
Plant-Based Foods in a Chipmunk’s Diet
Chipmunks go crazy for nuts, seeds, and berries. You’ll see them carrying off acorns, hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, and corn.
They also snack on grains and fruits like blueberries and strawberries when they can find them. These foods give them the energy and nutrients they need.
They’ll even eat mushrooms and other fungi to mix up their diet.
If you’re thinking about feeding chipmunks, a mix of nuts, berries, and grains is a good idea. Just skip anything salty or sugary—those aren’t good for them.
Food Storage in Underground Burrows
Chipmunks spend a lot of time collecting food to hide in their burrows. Inside their underground homes, they make special storage rooms for nuts, seeds, and berries.
This stash gets them through winter or any time food is hard to find.
Their burrows often have several entrances, but usually only one stays open while the others get covered up for safety.
The storage rooms can be pretty deep and well-hidden.
So, next time you see a chipmunk gathering food, remember they’re prepping for the future. If you leave safe, natural foods nearby, you can help support their food storage habits.
Nutritional Needs of Wild and Pet Chipmunks
Wild chipmunks usually find a balanced diet by munching on plants, fungi, insects, and once in a while, eggs or tiny animals.
They forage on their own, grabbing all the nutrients they need to stay energetic.
For pet chipmunks, you’ll want to get as close as possible to what they’d eat in the wild.
A lot of pet foods toss in cereals, nuts, and dried berries, which boost their energy and cover some vitamins.
No matter if you’re caring for a wild or pet chipmunk, always offer a mix of foods packed with proteins, fats, and carbs.
That way, they can grow well and keep up their strength all year long.
