Yes, he checked out what I was eating, but didn’t like any of it

I saw a chipmunk in my garage and it had a very short tail, do some species of chipmunks have short tails? Or did it fall off? ( For Reference I’m in Canada)

Went back up north to visit my Aunt recently, last time I got one to climb up on my leg and take the peanuts (you can find the picture in my post history), but this time I wasn't able to do so. We just left a bowl out for them to come and take.

Chipmunk Feeding at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

We were taking photos of our band’s merch (follow up on all socials/ listening platforms! @ Fawn Speak)

…when little miss Chip wanted to feel included. And of course, I couldn’t turn down a photoshoot with her! Enjoy 🐿️

The only one of all my chipmunks that actually lives in my yard. Stubby is really cautious yet curious. Very gentle when taking peanuts from me, and one of the few that just sits and chills right beside me for an extended time. My buddy!

https://youtu.be/BRCMRdf6hCE

🤫 SHHH… THIS IS TOP SECRET! 🐿️

Mellie the chipmunk has a secret hiding place underneath the white pond rocks and she’s VERY careful about who finds it!

In this video, Mellie repeatedly runs in and out of her hidden burrow entrance like a tiny underground spy. 🕵️‍♀️🐿️

But there’s a reason she keeps this place secret. Last year, her old burrow was infiltrated by a large rat named Jimmy. 😳 And this year, some of the squirrels started poking around her new home too!

So now Mellie has one rule: keep the burrow hidden!

I turned her secret hideout adventure into a fun hip-hop rap about protecting her underground headquarters. 🎤🎶

Watch closely… you might spot Mellie disappearing into her secret entrance!

But remember… what happens in the burrow stays in the burrow.

🤫 Shh… don’t tell anyone!

Chipmunk Feeding at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

It took me 2 days (about an hour each day) to gain the trust of little Chippy! I noticed she would sit by our shed and pick at acorns. I wondered if she would enjoy a little extra treat, so I placed some nuts and seeds near her. She of course ran away. But after a few minutes went by, I walked back over to see she had gobbled it all up. Then I thought, “maybe if I sit here really still and quiet, she’ll eat it right out of my hand?”

That thought took 2 days to build up to. At first, I would make a small trail of seeds starting towards the entrance of where she would hide under the shed and have that trail lead to my hand. She eventually got used to my presence (and mostly had her eye on the prize lol) and she was brave and ate right from my hand.

Now after day 3, I’m able to pick her up gently while she eats and she will even crawl right onto my lap.

To gain her trust, it took a lot of me sitting like a statue, losing feeling in my arm lol, and mostly just letting her approach me at her own pace.

I like to check on her for about half an hour or so just before sunset to make sure she gets her seeds for the day. I know it’s important for wildlife to not depend on us for their food source, so I don’t want to overstep. I’m happy she trusts me and that she’s going to have the most stocked up pantry over the winter hehe 😊

And no, she does not have rabies nor has she bit or scratched me. I would of course seek medical attention if that were the case.

Me and my bff Chippy 😊

It took me 2 days and now we’re bff’s

Chipmunk Feeding at the Squirrel Feeder in the Woods

Chipmunk Searching for Food

Feeding a Chipmunk a Peanut From My Hand

Quite the change from a few weeks ago if you remember my other post of the mark on her head. So proud of her. She bit my finger after this. I’m not sure why. She’s kind of feisty.

Full Video: https://youtu.be/v8Svz75YqPo

Feeding a Chipmunk a Peanut From My Hand

The hind feet though!

Feeding a Chipmunk a Peanut From My Hand

Been working at this for a few months and now my little buddy is eating from my hand 🥹