Ever spotted a chipmunk darting around your yard? You might find yourself wondering what foods really get them excited. Chipmunks absolutely love nuts and seeds—these give them the fats and energy they need to stay busy and get ready for winter. But honestly, their menu goes way beyond just nuts. They’ll happily munch on fruits, veggies, and even snack on small insects.
Knowing what chipmunks like to eat helps you understand their quirky behavior. If you’re hoping to attract them for a closer look, it’s good to know what’s safe to offer (and what’s not).
What Chipmunks Love to Eat Most
Chipmunks definitely have favorites when it comes to food. These choices help them keep their energy up and get ready for colder months. You’ll often catch them collecting and hiding these treats for later.
Their top picks? Nuts, seeds, and a variety of fruits and veggies.
Acorns and Nuts: The Ultimate Treat
Acorns top the list for chipmunks. They gather acorns in the fall and stash them in their burrows. Acorns pack in fat and calories, which really help chipmunks make it through winter.
But they don’t stop at acorns. Chipmunks also go for walnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts. Their sharp teeth make cracking open tough shells look easy.
You might spot a chipmunk with stuffed cheeks—yep, they’re hauling nuts back to their hiding spots.
Storing nuts for winter is a big deal for chipmunks. It’s basically their own food pantry, and you’ll see them working overtime when the weather cools off.
Seeds and Grains in a Chipmunk’s Diet
Seeds are another staple for chipmunks. Sunflower seeds are a favorite, and they often raid bird feeders to grab them. These seeds are full of oils and nutrients that keep chipmunks on the move.
Grains like corn, oats, wheat, and barley also make the menu. Sometimes you’ll catch them eating seeds right out of garden patches or fields.
Since seeds are smaller and easier to carry than nuts, chipmunks can quickly gather and store a bunch. Collecting lots of different seeds helps make sure they don’t run out of food, even if some supplies dry up.
Fruits and Vegetables Preferred by Chipmunks
Fruit is a treat for chipmunks when they can find it. They’re especially into berries—strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, you name it. Apples, cherries, and grapes are also on their list.
Chipmunks nibble on veggies too, like leafy greens and some garden crops. They usually pick softer fruits and plants because those are easier to eat.
If you grow tomatoes or peaches, you might notice chipmunks sampling them. Since they’re opportunistic eaters, they’ll grab any ripe fruit or veggie that’s within reach.
For gardeners, a simple barrier can help keep chipmunks away from your produce.
Chipmunk Eating Behavior Across Regions
Chipmunk diets shift depending on where they live and whether they’re wild or kept as pets. You’ll see their food choices change with the local environment and what’s available.
Pet chipmunks get fed a bit differently than wild ones, of course.
How State and Country Affect Diet
Location really shapes what chipmunks eat. For instance, chipmunks living in northern U.S. forests can pick from lots of nuts like acorns and walnuts. In warmer states, they might eat more fruits, like berries and cherries, since those grow nearby.
In other countries, chipmunks adjust their diets based on what’s around. In North America, they mostly eat seeds, nuts, and insects. Sometimes, if food is scarce, they’ll even eat small animals or eggs.
Local weather plays a big role in chipmunk habits. In colder areas, chipmunks store up more nuts before winter hits. In milder places, they can eat fresh food for longer and don’t need to rely as much on their stored supplies.
Differences Between Wild and Pet Chipmunks
Wild chipmunks go after a pretty mixed diet. They search for seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and sometimes even tiny animals.
You might spot them climbing up trees for acorns. Sometimes they’ll dig around in the dirt, hoping to find some insects.
They just eat whatever they can find in their habitat. It’s all about what’s available that day.
Pet chipmunks, on the other hand, get a much more controlled menu. Owners usually give them grains like oats or barley, and toss in fresh fruits—apples, maybe some strawberries.
People also offer nuts, like peanuts, but only in small amounts. No one wants a chubby chipmunk.
It’s important not to feed pet chipmunks anything harmful. Garlic and processed snacks? Definitely off the table.
Pet chipmunks need fresh water every day. Safe treats, like unsalted sunflower seeds, can make them pretty happy.
If you’re curious about what chipmunks eat in different environments, this guide on chipmunks’ food habits might be worth a look.
