Buzz
This image features both a chipmunk and a squirrel. Indeed, it’s true. Daniel Haug / Getty ImagesWhile taking a stroll, you spot a tiny, furry animal. Could it be a chipmunk? Or perhaps a squirrel? How can you tell them apart?
Discover all the essential details about the characteristics and behaviors of chipmunks and squirrels.
What Is a Chipmunk?
A chipmunk belongs to one of the 25 squirrel species within the Tamias genus. Interestingly, while all chipmunks are squirrels, not all squirrels are chipmunks, as Tamias is just one of 50 genera in the squirrel family.
The name Tamias, derived from the Latin term meaning "storer," reflects its habit of hoarding food in underground burrows.
Where Can Chipmunks Be Found?
Out of the 25 chipmunk species, 24 are native to North America. The sole exception is the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), which inhabits regions in Asia.
What Are the Dimensions of Chipmunks?
The least chipmunk (Tamias minimus), the smallest and most widespread species, measures 7.2 to 8.5 inches (18.3 to 21.6 centimeters) in height and weighs between 1.1 to 1.8 ounces (31.2 to 51.0 grams). It features a white underside, a single dark stripe running down its back, and alternating black and gray stripes on its sides.
The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the largest species, reaching up to 11 inches (28 centimeters) in length, including its tail, and weighing as much as 4.4 ounces (124.7 grams).
Distinctive Traits of Chipmunks
Here are some key characteristics that help identify chipmunks:
- Chipmunks are diminutive creatures, with the largest species weighing just 4.4 ounces (124.7 grams).
- Stripes are a defining feature of chipmunks.
- They possess cheek pouches designed for storing food.
- Chipmunks are ground-dwelling animals, preferring terrestrial habitats over trees.
What Is a Squirrel?
Squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, which comprises 268 rodent species, including chipmunks, flying squirrels, ground squirrels, and even prairie dogs. However, the tree squirrel is likely the first image that comes to mind when thinking of squirrels.
Tree Squirrel Varieties
Tree squirrels encompass 122 species, ranging from the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) to the American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus).
As their name implies, tree squirrels are arboreal creatures, spending much of their lives in trees. For instance, the Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica) rarely descends from the tropical forest canopy. In contrast, the eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) often travels on the ground to move between trees.
While the amount of time spent on the ground varies by species, all tree squirrels build their nests in trees.
Squirrels have lifespans ranging from five years (red squirrels) to six years (eastern gray squirrels) and up to 18 years (fox squirrels).
Ground Squirrel Species
The 62 ground squirrel species belong to the same subfamily (Sciurinae) as chipmunks, marmots, and prairie dogs. Ground squirrels and chipmunks are more closely related to each other than to tree squirrels, making them harder to distinguish.
Similar to chipmunks, ground squirrels possess cheek pouches and reside in burrows. They exhibit a variety of colors and may have stripes or spots.
The white-tailed antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) is among the smallest ground squirrels. On average, its body measures 6.7 inches (17 centimeters), its tail 3 inches (8 centimeters), and it weighs between 3.4 to 4 ounces (96 to 117 grams), comparable in size to a large chipmunk.
Identifying Squirrels and Chipmunks
When you spot a small, furry rodent collecting nuts or seeds during a walk, how can you determine if it's a chipmunk or a squirrel? Here are some helpful tips for distinguishing between these members of the squirrel family.
- If the animal is climbing trees or raiding bird feeders, it’s likely a tree squirrel, such as the eastern gray squirrel or western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus).
- If it peeks out from an underground burrow, it could be a chipmunk or a ground squirrel.
- If it’s small and striped, it’s probably a chipmunk. Generally, chipmunks are smaller than squirrels, and while some squirrels have stripes, they can also have spots or be solid-colored.
The most effective method to distinguish squirrels from chipmunks is to familiarize yourself with the rodent species commonly found in your region.
For instance, if you’re strolling through a New York City park, you’re likely to encounter eastern chipmunks and eastern gray squirrels. Differentiating them is straightforward, as chipmunks are less than half the size of squirrels, feature stripes, and live underground, whereas gray squirrels are tree-dwelling creatures.
