![]() ![]() Flying squirrels are definitely visiting bird feeders, they don’t hibernate, but since they are nocturnal, we don’t notice them. They semi-hibernate, instead of storing body fat they wake up periodically to snack on their stores of nuts and seeds. Chipmunks, the smallest members of the squirrel family, aren’t around in the winter. We provide effective trapping and removal services in Westchester County, Dutchess County, Putnam County, NY, and Fairfield County, CT.Of the four types of squirrels that live in my neighborhood only the red and gray squirrels have been visiting the feeders. Our experts are trained to remove all types of nuisance wildlife, including chipmunks. They are very hardworking creatures and, as such, will work through all kinds of challenges to get the much-needed supplies in storage and ready for the cold winter months. ![]() They love to eat and will wake up occasionally to get fed and get the break they need from the enormous amount of rest they have had.Ĭhipmunks usually gather enough nuts and seeds to eat throughout the winter, which is what the rest of the year is meant for. These nuts and seeds are essential as they are a food source for the chipmunk that lasts through the entire winter. Inside a chipmunk’s den is enough storage space for their nuts and seeds. What Do Chipmunks Eat When They Hibernate? Most of the time a chipmunk spends in hibernation goes to sleep while a portion is reserved for feeding, urinating, and defecating. They are usually relaxed when in hibernation, and most of their body functions are significantly slower to enable them to get through the cold winters. They like to hibernate when the weather is cold, and this is where they will spend most of their time, staying insulated from the harsh cold temperatures outside. The most excellent chipmunk preference is to live alone in an underground hole or burrow, referred to as a den. When their hearts are beating this slow, they can sleep out the rest of the winter and get the rest they have worked so hard for. This is several magnitudes slower and indicates the changes the chipmunk has to undergo to stay safe and warm for the winter. They will also slow their heart rate down from the usual 350 beats per minute to a mere four beats per minute. As such, they will not lose heat quickly, allowing them to maintain a constant temperature for the rest of the winter. For instance, their body temperature will start to lower to match them with their surroundings. These enable them to spend as little energy as possible, and as such, they will easily manage to get through the winter with much ease. Other things also happen when the chipmunk is undergoing the hibernation process. Once it has gotten cold enough, it will retreat to its burrow to spend the winter. The months of hibernation are generally uneventful, and not many things happen during that time for chipmunks.Īt What Temperature Do Chipmunks Hibernate?Īt around 40☏ is when the chipmunk starts to hibernate. These are all important as they ensure that the chipmunk can survive the harsh, cold months and get them through safely and as intact as possible. Their bodies also undergo essential changes that enable them to survive the winter. As such, they will hibernate for a shorter amount of time, between December and late January. The chipmunks in the southern parts of the US have better weather, as it is much warmer in these places. This is usually when the weather outside is harsh and the temperatures have dropped to deficient levels. The typical period for chipmunk hibernation lies between October and the middle of March. Every few days, the chipmunk wakes up for temperature adjustment, has a few more nuts, and quietly goes back to sleep for some more days. This is very important for the cold season aa it allows them to stay protected from the cold. When they are on these awake breaks, the chipmunks will feed on the food stored over time to build up their fat reserves. Occasionally, they wake up to bring their body temperature back to normal. They will typically retreat back to their burrows. However, they are also known to store up more food than is necessary, so they will typically have collected more than they need for the cold months.Įven though they are known to hibernate during the winter, chipmunks will not be asleep for the entire season as most other hibernators do. In as little as two days, the chipmunk will have managed to collect enough food to take them through the whole winter season. They are known to be quite occupied, and just one of them will quickly gather up to 165 acorns per day. Whenever there is cold weather, chipmunks spend most of their time hibernating and simply sleeping or resting in their dens. ![]()
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