Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

If someone finds a baby chipmunk alone, what should they be advised to do?

1. They should leave it alone.

2. They should bring it to a wildlife rehabilitator.

3. They should place it back inside a burrow.

4. They should check for adults first.

The correct answer is: They should bring it to a wildlife rehabilitator.

The best course of action when someone finds a baby chipmunk alone is indeed to bring it to a wildlife rehabilitator. Wildlife rehabilitators are trained to assess the health and well-being of wildlife, including young animals like chipmunks. They have the skills and resources necessary to provide appropriate care, whether the animal is orphaned, injured, or simply in need of intervention. Bringing a baby chipmunk to a wildlife rehabilitator ensures that the animal can receive specialized care tailored to its developmental needs. Chipmunks, like many young wildlife species, have specific dietary and environmental requirements that an untrained person may not be able to fulfill adequately. Rehabilitators are equipped to provide a safe environment and the correct nutrition while ensuring that the animal can eventually be reintroduced into the wild if it is deemed healthy and capable of surviving on its own. In contrast, while leaving it alone might sometimes be an option if it is not in immediate danger, it overlooks the potential necessity for care if the baby is truly orphaned or distressed. Placing it back inside a burrow does not guarantee that the mother will return to care for it, as the mother may not accept it back if it has been separated. Checking for adults