Chipmunks are social animals that live in communities of other chipmunks. One of the more interesting tools chipmunks use to avoid being eaten is communication. Chipmunks can also dash into one of the openings of their burrows or tunnels to evade an oncoming predator. Chipmunks can use their coats to easily blend in with the leaves and twigs on the forest floor making them nearly invisible if they remain motionless. The habitats of chipmunks gives these little prey animals an advantage sometimes. That being said, when it comes to evading predators chipmunks have quite a few tricks up their sleeves.įrom the videos above you can see how quick and agile these critters are. The importance of chipmunks as a food source to so many animals is one reason that chipmunks do not live very long. Not all encounters end so well for chipmunks but in this video you can really see their fighting spirit! Here is an amazing video of a chipmunk aggressively attacking a snake. Learn all about it here: What Do Chipmunks Eat? What Food Do They Like? Chipmunks will often fight aggressive snakes and sometimes even kill them!Ĭhipmunks are omnivores and will eat insects, bird eggs and even snakes as a source of protein. While chipmunks have to rely on speed and agility to evade mammals and birds, they have another defense when it comes to dealing with snakes. The relationship between chipmunks and snakes is more complex when compared to the other animals on this list. Two species that have a voracious appetite for chipmunks and other small rodents include the Black Rat Snake and the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Some species of snakes feed aggressively on chipmunks. When I was researching this article I did some searching on YouTube and was surprised to learn that chipmunks are also actively hunted by blue herons! Snakes Love to Eat Chipmunks Here is a fun video of an owl hunting a chipmunk with no success. Such as:Ĭhipmunks are pretty spry and the birds don’t always get an easy meal. Chipmunks are actively hunted by several types of hawks and other birds. The list of avian predators contains many of the standard birds that you would expect. Not only do they have to spend their days evading foxes that are chasing them on foot but they also have to keep their eyes and ears tuned into the skies! Chipmunk’s Avian PredatorsĬhipmunks have it rough. Two other noteworthy mammalian predators of chipmunks are domesticated cats and dogs. Check out this fun video of a chipmunk eluding a coyote! Sometimes a chipmunk is an easy meal for these hunters while other times it turns into a fruitless pursuit. For example, when we look at the mammalian predators of the Least chipmunk we see that the list expands to contain minks and martens. Since different species of chipmunks live in different regions of the country the list of predators changes with geography. I was surprised to see red squirrels on this list but those little guys are known for being feisty! According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, small mammals like chipmunks, mice, squirrels and rabbits make up approximately 70% of the diet of coyotes ( source).Īccording to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology ( source), known mammalian predators of the Eastern chipmunk include the following animals. Let’s look at each class of predator in more detail.Ĭhipmunks and other rodents are an essential part of the diet of many mammals. Chipmunks have developed a communication system that helps them warn each other about the presence of a predator and whether the treat is on the ground or in the air. Have you ever wondered what animals eat chipmunks?Ĭhipmunks are eaten by predatory mammals (foxes, wolves, coyotes), aerial predators (hawks, owls) and some species are actively hunted by snakes. Chipmunks play several vital roles in the ecosystem and serving as a food source for other animals is one of them. There are many species of animals that look at chipmunks as tasty treats and a great meal. Of course, humans are not the only species that enjoys the sight of chipmunks. Chipmunks are adorable little animals and I can sit and watch them scamper for hours on end.

Chipmunk pig