With the owls and hawks having a field day with their own local populations and no resident predators(lazy neighbors cat excluded) my local chipmunk population has blossomed. At times I can see eight at once, digging, eating or chasing each other off 'their' territory. The population density has as many as four chipmunks in a chase, creating a circus like atmosphere. Needless to say their investigating prowess of digging next to and under flowers leaves the flower bed looking like Swiss cheese. I was curious if other stewbies have a similar problem. Comments? Jerry
We don't have Chipmunks down here but the Squirrels make up for that. Any holes I find in the ground are the result of an Opossum that is wandering the streets at night, the Squirrels relish in digging into the potted plants and uprooting them in a hopeful search for a forgotten pecan or acorn. We have had some feral cats in the neighborhood killing Squirrels so there aren't nearly as many as there were last year
Morning Jerry, The cats we have are terrific 'munkers. every day they bring in one or more chipmunks to the garage for me I am surprised at the number of them here, too. unfortunately it is kinder to have a cat to get rid of them than it is to try to trap and relocate them. that is just plain cruel to the wild animals. The established animals are very territorial and will defend their hunting ground fiercely, leaving the poor little intruder that was so kindly relocated, to starve, possibly to death or be maimed from fighting.
Jerry, True story. We were at a restored village, admiring the fireplace. The docent told us of something that had happened to him. A chipmunk ran into his house, got disoriented and scared, and ran into the fireplace, setting himself alight. Then the chipmunk ran through the house, lighting fires as he went. The couple lost carpeting, a drape or two, and gained a new respect for torch-bearing chipmunks. Now, doesn't that make you feel better about those cute little fellers?
Toni, there use to be feral cats around then the coyotes moved into the area, I don't see stray cats anymore. Most pets stay indoors. Carolyn, Our neighbors cats have captured chipmunks in the past but there are just too many. There are 11 in my yard 2/3 of an acre. When hunting for food there is not enough to go around, competition is constant. Jane, I'm glad that they were able to control the situation. I imagine the critter expired in the melee. If it were not so serious, one could imagine that happening to a cartoon character. Jerry
