Emma Jones
One of the natural behaviors of a chipmunk is hibernation. But not all chipmunks adhere to the rest period.
Hibernating squirrels then crawl into their nest previously filled with supplies and sleep there a great deal. During the rest period, body temperature drops and metabolism slows down. Heart rate and breathing are kept to a minimum. The lethargic phase is interrupted by the chipmunk after a few days to defecate, drink the liquid and eat something. Often you can only tell from the rustling in the nest that the squirrel is awake. Under no circumstances should you wake up your squirrel, because the energy that the squirrel needs to “wake up” again is enormous. Therefore, you should not carry out any checks in the sleeping hut during the rest period from October to March, even if it is difficult for you.
Chipmunks suffer from autumn aggression
Before hibernating, chipmunks usually become very aggressive in the fall. The reason for this is that the squirrel tries by all means to defend its supplies, which it increasingly brings into the sleeping hut during this time. During this time, you should approach your squirrel with great caution. Leather gloves help prevent serious bite injuries. For safety reasons, you should also refrain from freewheeling during this time. By the way, the statement that neutering ends the problem of autumn aggression is incorrect since it is an instinct-driven behavior.