Seeing the tiny and loving creatures called chipmunks does give me a solid curiosity to know everything about them.
Recently, I’ve been searching about its lifespan. It’s a natural thing that comes to most folk’s minds who have an ardent desire to know anything like me.
The chipmunks can live for up to 3 – 12 years at max. The life expectancy can be more or less based on their types, living style, environment, and so on. That’s how long do chipmunks live!
After learning ins and outs, I think of writing about this topic to provide real facts. I’ll show you the reasons why they live such as short life too.
How Long Chipmunks Would Live Depends on Many Factors
Their lifespan can go up and down as it depends on the environment, location, and types. Confused? Here is what I mean:
Natural Life in Captivity or Wild
In general, the chipmunks live as captive or wildlife. As they live in different environments and get diverse treatment, their lifespan does differ.
How Long Do Chipmunks Live in Captivity?
In the condition of being confined, the chipmunks can live for up to 8 years if getting diligent care and a proper meal from their caretaker.
It’s still unknown how many chipmunks live together in captivity but most likely they don’t face any kind of fight or damage from predator animals.
As they get good water and shelter, it increases their chance of living. Most of them also don’t meet severe weather which causes them to get less illness. That’s why the chipmunks live longer in the captive state than wildlife.
How Long Do Wild Chipmunks Live?
You’ll be surprised to know that the chipmunks who live freely in the wildlife only last for 2 – 3 years at max. It’s easy to figure out the reason for such a short lifespan in the wild as they tend to face predator animals frequently.
Whether are chipmunks destructive or not, they will face regular duels from their group! Other than that, the chipmunks need to locate food sources, water, and shelter by making dens.
Counting the sudden weather change which causes them to suffer from diseases like plague, salmonella, and others. In short, the lifespan of a chipmunk in the wild is short due to these obstacles.
Life Expectancy Based on Country
Chipmunks can live differently based on the environment in the country. By and large, they live in the US, Canada, Russia, China, and South Korea.
In Canada
The chipmunk groups have 5 years of lifespan (at max). It can go up or down based on lifestyle, environment, and food habits. That’s how long do chipmunks live in Canada.
In The US
The chipmunks in the United States (Northern part) usually last for up to 3 – 7 years. However, they might not live that long in the winter as the survival change during the cold period is 10%.
In Russia
They tend to live not more than 2 – 5 years if staying outside with other chipmunks under a burrow in Russia. Some can even live longer; it depends on the climate.
In China
With care, food source, and environmental support, chipmunks in China can live for 5 – 10 years. in the state of captivity, they can last for 12 years.
In South Korea
The average life cycle of chipmunks is around 2 – 4 years if stay outside. However, they can live for more than 10 years if having decent food, care, and shelter.
Lifespan Depending on Types
The chipmunks are 3 types based on their appearance and behavior. These include Eastern, Siberian (common), and least chipmunks. In usual weather, they show a diverse lifespan range.
Eastern Chipmunks
Eastern chipmunks in the wild state live for up to 3 – 5 years. In captivity, they can survive more than 7 – 8 years.
Common Chipmunks
Siberian or common chipmunks have 2 – 5 years of lifespan in wildlife. They can last even longer for up to 6 – 10 years in captivity.
Least Chipmunks
The least chipmunk has 6 years of captive life expectancy. In wildlife, they last not more than 3 years.
Chipmunks Lifespan Is Pretty Short!
Compared to most creations in the family of squirrels, they have a short lifespan. To know the reasons, read here:
Predator Animals
Red squirrels, snakes, hawks, foxes, and snakes are some of the dangerous animals that fight against chipmunks and injure them badly.
Due to these predator creatures, the chipmunks get serious wounds that cost a lot to treat as they can’t treat themselves. This is one of the most reasons why they experience a short life.
Lack Of Food, Protection, & Shelter
The chipmunks tend to eat grains, veggies, and live creatures like snails to survive. Sometimes do chipmunks keep mice away and eat them to fulfill their hunger.
But they don’t tend to get this kind of opportunity often which causes them to starve for a few days. If it goes like that for 2 – 3 days without food and water, they will mostly die.
Just like the food source, they need shelter and protection to survive under harsh weather. Mostly, they die due to floods, earthquakes, and other disasters.
Having Illness Often
Getting sick is another reason chipmunks tend to live not more than 3 – 12 years. If the health condition goes worse, they might not be able to survive longer.
How Long Do Chipmunks Live with Their Mom?
In the forest or under the burrow, the chipmunks live with their mom for up to 60 – 90 days. You see, the mommy chipmunks tend to give life to 8 babies at the same time and the babies can’t see nor hear.
To build up their hearing, seeing, and other senses, they need mommy chipmunk’s warmth and guidance to gradually improve. And it talks for 2 – 3 months for them to get these senses and live solely in separate dens.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the lifespan of a Yellow-pine chipmunk?
With a 30% living rate, the Yellow-pine chipmunks have 5 years and 2 months (in specific) of life expectancy.
2. What is the lifespan of a Colorado chipmunk?
The Colorado chipmunks usually last not more than 8 years. they are known as one of the longest-lasting animals in the wildlife.
3. What is the lifespan of a Hopi chipmunk?
The Hopi chipmunks have 2 to 3 years of lifespan in the wild. They can last for 9 years in captive life.
Ending Note
The lifespan of chipmunks does differ! Now that you know how long chipmunks live, it’s time to simply enjoy the outside environment while seeing them playing and eating from your garden, JK.
Have A Nice Day Ahead!
