Marking babies to tell them apart???

[Got_Chippies]

Strange question, hope someone has experience with this one. We have 6 baby Dilute White Siberian Chipmunks, and my Wife and Son have each claimed one as their own. We are currently marking the right ear with a small dot of permenant ink (sharpie pen) but it only lasts about 2 days at the most before it's gone. We've tried marking the fur as well, and it's gone even faster - guess they are licking it off!

Bottom line is we can't lose track of the two that we are keeping, can't put them in with their mother as she has had enough of them already. Not sure what their father and his female companion would do if we put them in their cage - don't want to find out the hard way that we were wrong to put them in!

What other options are there? Bird tags or other that could be temporarily put on their legs?

Any and all input greatly appreciated.

Dan.

[xoxkayxox]

what sex are the 2 you want to keep?

[Got_Chippies]

what sex are the 2 you want to keep?

The Wife's is Male, the mark is gone on Nate's so it's up for grabs - probably get another male to keep them the same sex. They are going to be in the new cage with the other 4 that are for sale, just don't want to sell the wrong ones, lol.

Dan.

[Gabe]

I use nail polish on the inside of the tip of the ear. It usually lasts 2-3 weeks.

[thundersquirrel]

i've heard things about food coloring. if you can manage to soak their entire tails for a few minutes in food coloring and water, it might last (plus it's not harmful if they lick it off).

[TexanSquirrel]

Good luck. Sound like you're going to need it!

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

They use pet nail polish on the nails of baby squirrels to tell them apart at the wildlife center where I volunteer. It lasts about 3-4 weeks.