Ever spot a small, furry critter darting around your yard and wonder—wait, is that a squirrel or a chipmunk? At first glance, they really do look a lot alike. But honestly, the quickest way to tell is by checking their size and stripes: chipmunks are smaller and have bold stripes running down their backs, while squirrels are bigger and their fur is usually all one color.
If you look closely, squirrels have longer bodies and those famously bushy tails. Chipmunks? Their bodies are shorter and their tails are thinner, plus they’ve got those stripes.
Once you know these differences, it gets way easier to spot who’s who next time you’re outside watching these busy little guys.
You might also notice squirrels like to hang out in trees, while chipmunks stick to burrows underground.
These habits make it even easier to tell them apart. Want more tips? Check out this guide on how to tell a chipmunk from a squirrel.
Identifying Physical Differences
You can spot the difference by looking at their size, colors, tails, and faces. Each one has its own set of features that make it stand out—if you know what to look for.
Size and Body Shape
Chipmunks are definitely smaller than most squirrels. The eastern chipmunk, for example, usually measures under 7.5 inches long (not counting its tail).
Their bodies look pretty compact and their legs are stubby. You’ll usually see chipmunks with a rounded, low-to-the-ground shape.
Tree squirrels like the eastern gray or fox squirrel? They’re way bigger, growing up to 16–20 inches long, plus their long bushy tails.
Their back legs are longer than their front, which helps them jump and climb. Flying squirrels and ground squirrels, like the golden-mantled ground squirrel, fall somewhere in the middle size-wise, but they’re still bigger and less chunky than chipmunks.
Color Patterns and Markings
Here’s a big one: color and stripes. Chipmunks have really obvious dark and light stripes running from head to tail—five dark and four light stripes, plus some on their faces.
Their fur is usually orange-brown with a pale belly. That pattern is pretty unique among rodents.
Squirrels, like the eastern gray or American red squirrel, have fur that’s all one color—no stripes on their bodies or faces. Their fur might be gray, brown, or reddish, but it’s usually just one shade.
Some ground squirrels, like the golden-mantled kind, do have stripes on their bodies but not on their faces—so they still look different from chipmunks.
Tail Characteristics
Their tails are another giveaway. Most tree squirrels have long, thick, bushy tails, sometimes as long as their bodies. The eastern gray squirrel’s tail is huge and helps it balance while jumping between trees.
Chipmunks have shorter, skinnier tails that aren’t very bushy. Their tails usually just trail behind them instead of sticking up.
Ground squirrels have less bushy tails than tree squirrels, but still longer than chipmunks.
Flying squirrels? They’ve got wide, flat tails covered in fur, which lets them glide—pretty different from both squirrels and chipmunks.
Cheek Pouches and Facial Features
Chipmunks have those cheek pouches you might see bulging when they’re storing food. These pouches are big and let them carry nuts or seeds back to their burrows.
Their faces look small and pointy, with big black eyes and clear stripes across the face—you won’t see those on squirrels.
Squirrels don’t have such obvious cheek pouches. Their faces are rounder, with bigger ears and long, noticeable whiskers.
The eastern gray or fox squirrel has a face that’s all one color. Flying squirrels have big eyes for seeing at night, which is a bit different from the smaller-eyed chipmunks.
If you focus on these details, you’ll figure out pretty quickly whether you’re looking at a chipmunk or one of the many types of squirrels in your neighborhood.
For more info, check out chipmunks and squirrels.
Behavior, Habitat, and Lifestyle
Chipmunks and squirrels don’t just look different—they act and live differently, too. Where they make their homes, how they go about their day, and even how they stash food all reflect their unique lifestyles as members of the Sciuridae family.
Living Habits and Habitat Preferences
Chipmunks mostly stick to the ground. You’ll usually spot them zipping around forest floors or in brushy yards.
They like soft soil for digging burrows where they can hide and store food.
Squirrels, especially the tree-dwelling types, spend most of their time up high. They live in trees in cities, parks, or forests all over North America.
You’ll often notice squirrels leaping between branches or dashing up trunks.
Because of these habits, you’re way more likely to see chipmunks scurrying along the ground, while squirrels do their thing in the trees or, sometimes, even in attics.
Nesting and Burrow Creation
Chipmunks dig out burrows with tunnels and little chambers underground. These burrows have several exits, which helps them escape from predators like snakes or birds.
Inside, they stash food and nest safely.
Squirrels don’t really dig. Instead, they build nests—called dreys—in trees from leaves, twigs, and moss.
Sometimes, squirrels even move into attics or other high-up spots near people.
If you’re checking around your place, look for holes in the ground for chipmunks or leafy nests up in the trees for squirrels.
Diet and Food Storage Behavior
Both animals eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and sometimes insects.
Chipmunks use their cheek pouches to carry food back to their burrows. They gather food quickly and stash it underground.
Squirrels don’t have cheek pouches, but they’re experts at hiding food. They bury nuts in lots of different spots, both in trees and on the ground.
That way, if another animal finds one stash, they don’t lose everything.
Ever spot a little creature dashing around with stuffed cheeks or digging tiny holes in your yard? That’s probably a chipmunk.
See nuts tucked away in odd places or an animal darting up a tree? You’re probably looking at a squirrel.
If you’re curious about more differences in how squirrels and chipmunks act or where they live, check out this chipmunk vs squirrel behavior guide.
