A small rodent with a grey-beige coat marked by 5 black stripes, four toes on the forelimbs and five on the hindlimbs.
Pretty companions that enjoy community life, quick, easier to watch than to catch; it is an animal that is difficult to tame and does not particularly like human contact. Only the young will get used to being handled.
Living environment:
- In the wild: a burrow with a central chamber and side passages serving as a larder, where it can store more than 2 kg of reserves! Amazing, given that a 100-gram meal is more than enough for it.
- In captivity: Given its climbing abilities, the cage must be tall throughout, a vertical aviary, large branches, brushwood, small wooden refuges reproducing the burrow with its central room and several passages for the antechambers. Beware: the cage mesh must not exceed a 2 cm gap, otherwise it could escape!
- Bedding: peat, or better still, good-quality hay; bedding to be changed as soon as the urine gives off an unpleasant smell. The chipmunks themselves give off no smell.
- Ambient temperature: not very demanding, can live outdoors. Hibernation from October to March-April.
- Requires good ventilation and does not like sudden temperature changes!
Diet:
- In the wild: It feeds on berries, insects, frogs, small reptiles, eggs and nestlings.
- Dry food: Commercial food, varied seeds (walnuts, hazelnuts, ash, maize, wheat, sunflower), dry biscuits, oat flakes.
- Fresh food: lettuce, dandelion, fresh bark, fruit, buds.
- Animal protein in small quantities: eggs, raw meat, mealworms, insects.
Care:
- No particular care needed. Make sure it feeds properly and that it is not pushed aside by the others.
- Highly sensitive to temperature changes and to insufficient ventilation.
Common diseases
The Korean chipmunk has few specific diseases; the main reasons for consultation are sensitivity to temperature changes, skin problems and injuries.
It is an animal that is very sensitive to temperature changes and to poor ventilation. An unsuitable environment can weaken it: watch its behaviour and appetite when the seasons change.
The skin can be affected by parasites or a fungus, with itching and hair loss. As it is a lively, fast animal, falls and injuries (wounds, lameness) are also possible.
When to see a vet promptly itching or hair loss, lameness, an animal that eats less or keeps to itself.
When to see a vet urgently a very listless animal that stops eating, a serious injury, or difficulty breathing.
The veterinarian's advice avoid sudden temperature changes and ensure good ventilation, without a direct draught.
Key points a stable, well-ventilated environment is the best prevention for this animal. This information does not replace a consultation.