Ever watched a chipmunk darting around and wondered what they actually love to eat? Chipmunks go crazy for nuts and seeds, and honestly, they spend a ton of time hunting down and stashing these snacks. Besides those, you’ll catch them nibbling on fruits, grains, and even the occasional insect if they’re feeling adventurous.
Surprisingly, chipmunks don’t really turn their noses up at much. They’ll happily munch on berries, fungi, eggs, and sometimes even small birds or rodents. Still, nuts and seeds are their main obsession—they’re easy to store and last through winter.
If you’re feeling brave, you can try hand-feeding a chipmunk with some shelled peanuts or sunflower seeds. It’s a neat way to see them up close.
When you know what chipmunks like to eat, it’s easier to attract them to your yard or keep a pet chipmunk happy. Want more details? This guide on chipmunks’ favorite foods might help.
Favorite Foods of Chipmunks
Chipmunks eat a surprising mix of things to get their energy and nutrients. They go after nuts and seeds the most, but fruits, veggies, and insects are all fair game too.
Their favorites pack in fats, vitamins, and protein—super important for survival, especially when they’re stashing food for colder months.
Top Nuts and Seeds Chipmunks Love
Nuts and seeds make up a huge part of what chipmunks eat. You’ll probably see them stuffing acorns, walnuts, and pecans into their cheek pouches. These snacks give them lots of healthy fats and energy.
They’re also fans of almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, and pumpkin seeds. Sunflower seeds and peanuts are popular, too.
These foods fuel chipmunks and help them build up their winter stash. Just don’t give them processed or salted nuts—they need the raw, natural stuff to stay healthy.
Preferred Fruits and Vegetables
Chipmunks definitely have a sweet tooth. They’ll eat berries like blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries.
These fruits are full of vitamin C and antioxidants. Besides berries, chipmunks enjoy small pieces of apples, grapes, and sometimes cucumbers.
These snacks offer moisture and fiber. Raisins are a treat they like as well, but only give them a few if you’re feeding chipmunks yourself.
Insects and Other Occasional Foods
Most of the time, chipmunks stick to plants, but they’ll eat insects for an extra protein boost. Sometimes you’ll see them chasing ants, beetles, or caterpillars.
These foods help round out their diet, especially in the warmer months. Occasionally, chipmunks might eat eggs or even baby birds, though it’s not common.
Their flexible eating habits let them survive in lots of different places. They just pick whatever food’s around and stash it for later.
For more on what chipmunks eat, you can check out this chipmunk diet guide.
Chipmunk Feeding Habits and Human Interaction
Chipmunks spend a lot of their day collecting and hiding food. They’ve got some clever tricks for finding and carrying meals.
If you spot chipmunks near your home, you might notice their habits shift, especially if you put out food or have bird feeders.
Foraging and Food Storage Behaviors
Chipmunks are expert foragers. They’ll search the ground for nuts, seeds, fruits, and bugs.
You might see them digging under leaves or logs to find snacks. They use their cheek pouches to haul food back to their burrows.
They stash extra food in underground tunnels or little nests. This storage system helps them get through times when food is hard to find.
Feeding Chipmunks in Your Backyard
If you want to feed chipmunks, try offering acorns or sunflower seeds. Small fruits like berries work as treats, too.
Skip the processed human food or anything sugary. Feeding chipmunks can make them friendlier, but don’t overdo it.
You don’t want them to rely on you completely—they still need to forage on their own.
Impact of Bird Feeders and Human Food Sources
Bird feeders tend to attract chipmunks since seeds often end up scattered on the ground. This quick snack can mess with chipmunks’ usual routines and bring more animals right up to your yard.
When people toss out things like bread or snacks, chipmunks sometimes eat them, but that’s not great for their health. Eating too much human food means they skip their normal variety, and honestly, it can make them weaker over time.
If you use bird feeders, try to clean up any spills. That way, you’ll help chipmunks stay safe and nudge them toward eating what they’d find in nature.
For more info on what chipmunks like to eat, check out What Do Chipmunks Eat? – A-Z Animals.
