Any chipmonk owners/experts? i need advice?

Question

i own 2 7month old chipmonks, kept outside in a 2m x 2.5m x 2m cage, i love these little critters to bits so want to provide the best surroundings i can for them, problem being the advice i have read in books and been told from other owners contradicts itself, can my chipmonks stay outside through the winter or should i bring them in? im having a problem with slugs in the cage on a night, how can i stop them in a mannor that wont put my chipmonks health at risk? also 1 of them is very shy and the other isnt, so the shy 1 is missing out on all their fav foods as she hides when i bring them and the other quickly eats all the monkeynuts and sunflour seeds, but leaving everything else, also having a small problem with flys on the fresh fruit i give them everyday, how do i stop them?

Answer 1

I would say keep them inside. I have a 13 lined ground squirrel and I keep her indoors in a hamster cage. I don't think the outdoors cage is really the best environment for you to keep them in. You mentioned one of them not being tame, and this could easily change with daily handling. My ground squirrel doesn't hibernate as she would in the wild because she is kept indoors and has no need to do this. Also, you won't have any problems with bugs if you keep your chipmunks in an indoor cage. If you are worried about them not having enough room, you can always find a room that you can easily chipmunk proof and let them run around in it, or use the outdoors cage as a "playroom" for them.

Answer 2

Usually chipmunks need heat in the winter, so they will naturally go find themselves somewhere warm. With you just giving them a cage, they really can't find somewhere warm.

I don't think it's a great idea to keep them inside though, for obvious reasons..

Answer 3

Im sorry i really dont know

Answer 4

If you really love them, set them free. It is just wrong to keep them caged. You are being cruel to them. Set them free. They are wild animals they won't ever be healthy or happy in a cage, no matter how big it is. Let them go.

Answer 5

They are wild animals....let them go don't cage them up. Whats the point of keeping them in a cage outside. Thats just wrong. When did it pop in your mind to take a wild animal and stick it in your cage. Finally, I don't think you should have an animal if you can't spell it. It's Chipmunks not Chipmonks. Sorry if that sounds rude but thats just dumb.