Ever watched a chipmunk dart through your yard or garden and wondered what’s on their menu? Chipmunks eat all sorts of things to keep up their energy and health. They mostly munch on nuts, seeds, berries, insects, and sometimes even bird eggs or snails.
You might catch a chipmunk snacking on fruits or veggies from your garden. Sometimes, they even go for pet food left outside.
Since chipmunks stash food in their burrows, it helps to know what they like to eat. That way, you can figure out how to protect your plants—or maybe even tempt these little guys to visit.
If you want to see chipmunks up close or manage their visits, knowing their favorite foods is key.
What Do Chipmunks Typically Eat?
Chipmunks change up their diet based on the season and what’s around. They pick different foods to stay healthy and store up energy for winter.
Most chipmunks eat a lot of plants. Still, they go after insects and small critters for some extra protein.
Seeds and Nuts
Seeds and nuts are a big deal for chipmunks. You’ll probably spot them collecting acorns, sunflower seeds, and whatever seeds they can find.
With their sharp teeth, they crack open tough shells to get to the good stuff inside. These foods give them the fat and calories they need for colder months.
Chipmunks haul seeds and nuts back to their burrows and stash them away. This way, they’ve got snacks ready when foraging gets tough.
Fruits and Berries
Berries are easy pickings for chipmunks. They’ll eat strawberries, blackberries, and any berry growing close to the ground.
If you grow fruits or veggies, chipmunks might sneak a bite. They seem to have a sweet tooth for soft, juicy plants as well as dry seeds.
They also eat plant bulbs and mushrooms. These add some variety and nutrients to their meals.
Insects and Small Animals
Chipmunks don’t stick to just plants. They hunt insects like beetles and caterpillars whenever they can.
Sometimes, they’ll eat snails or even bird eggs. Animal protein gives chipmunks a boost of energy and nutrition.
So, if you see a chipmunk chasing bugs, they’re just mixing things up.
Curious for more? Check out this chipmunk diet guide.
Chipmunk Diet Variations and Feeding Habits
Chipmunks get pretty clever about finding and saving food. Their eating habits shift based on where they live, what season it is, and what kind of chipmunk you’re dealing with.
You’ll notice different species go for different foods and have their own storage tricks.
Food Storage and Foraging Behavior
You’ll notice chipmunks stuffing food into their cheek pouches. They pack seeds, nuts, and berries in there and haul them back to their underground burrows.
They rely on these food stashes to make it through winter, especially since they don’t put on much fat in the fall.
On warmer winter days, chipmunks pop out to eat from their hidden stores.
They’ll also pick up insects and fungi when they find them. This mix keeps their meals interesting and nutritious.
The way chipmunks scatter their food stashes is pretty smart. By spreading things out, they don’t risk losing everything if something goes wrong.
Differences by Species and Region
Your chipmunk’s diet really depends on its species and where it lives.
Take the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) in North American forests—it goes for seeds, berries, and insects most of the time.
Meanwhile, the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) in Asia eats a lot of the same things, but it has to deal with much tougher climates.
Some species, like the Uinta chipmunk, actually climb trees to find food. They even raise their young up in tree nests, which is kind of impressive.
In dry or rocky places, chipmunks munch on tougher plants and hunt for insects.
The Hopi chipmunk lives in the Southwest canyonlands and has become an expert at climbing rocks just to find something to eat.
It’s honestly fascinating how chipmunks can adapt to so many different environments.
