These Wild Chipmunks Trust One Man So Much, They'll Eat Right Out of His Hand
Winning the trust of a wild animal isn't something that happens overnight, and people can get surprisingly creative in their attempts to do it. From disguising themselves near bird feeders to building elaborate viewing stations and wildlife-friendly hangouts, we always enjoy seeing the lengths people will go to connect with nature.
For Adam Antman, patience paid off in a big way. He has earned the trust of a group of wild chipmunks that now run right up to him and happily eat from his hand. His setup is refreshingly simple: a jar of mixed nuts, a camera, and a little patience. The adorable chipmunk looks straight into the camera while stuffing its cheeks full of nuts, creating the kind of wholesome, feel-good content we're all here for.
@adam_antman Spirit In The Sky - Deluxe Edition - Norman Greenbaum
Adam's video made everybody wonder how he did it, but it didn't happen after just one sitting; he's actually been doing this for years. He said that each chipmunk is different, but it usually takes about a month to win one over. To be honest, though, we don't think we'd have enough patience to make it happen!
Related: Woman Sets up a Chipmunk Cafe Where Her Cat Acts as Host
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Why Chipmunks Stuff Their Cheeks With Food
One of the cutest things about chipmunks is watching them stuff their cheeks full of food. Those expandable cheek pouches act like built-in grocery bags, allowing them to quickly gather seeds, nuts, and other snacks before carrying them off to a safe place to store for later. According to Northern Woodlands Magazine, a chipmunk's cheek pouches can hold up to 12 acorns, 31 corn kernels or an impressive 70 sunflower seeds!
And seeds and nuts aren't the only things on the menu. Chipmunks are opportunistic eaters that also enjoy fruits, veggies, mushrooms, worms, slugs, insects, and even bird eggs.
As fun as it is to make new wildlife friends, experts generally recommend allowing wild animals to remain wild. Feeding wildlife can sometimes alter natural behaviors or cause animals to become dependent on people for food. If you do offer a snack, stick to foods they would naturally encounter.
As David Hackett, a small-mammals specialist at Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario, explains, "Natural foods such as unsalted nuts, fruits, and vegetables will do them no harm." He adds, "Cheetos and gummy worms? Hard no. Keep that stuff for yourself."
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 5:00 AM.