Ever spot a tiny, striped critter darting around and wonder if it’s a chipmunk? Turns out, you might actually be looking at a ground squirrel instead. These little guys look almost identical to chipmunks—same stripes, same size—but here’s the kicker: ground squirrels are the small mammals that most resemble chipmunks, usually sharing body stripes but not the head stripes.
You’ll usually find ground squirrels hanging out on the ground or tucked away in burrows. Chipmunks, on the other hand, spend a lot of time in trees.
Both belong to the squirrel family, but ground squirrels act more social and live together in colonies. Noticing these differences can make your time watching wildlife in parks or backyards a little more interesting.
Curious about how to tell these animals apart? Or maybe you just want to know why they look so much alike? Let’s get into some easy ways to spot the differences and enjoy these little mammals wherever you see them.
Small Mammals Often Confused with Chipmunks
A few small mammals really do look a lot like chipmunks, mostly because of their stripes and size. But if you look closer, you’ll start noticing differences in their markings, size, and even how they act.
Knowing these clues can help you figure out what you’re seeing the next time something scurries by outdoors.
Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel
The Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel sports stripes that look a lot like a chipmunk’s. You’ll usually count 13 pale lines running down its back.
The stripes never stretch onto the head like they do on chipmunks. These squirrels are a bit bigger and stick to grassy or open fields.
You’ll see them hustling along the ground instead of climbing trees. They dig burrows for shelter and hibernate when it gets cold.
Unlike chipmunks, they don’t have those cute cheek pouches. Instead, they stash food in their burrows.
Watch for their fast, hopping style of movement—it’s not quite like the chipmunk’s quick darting.
If you want more details about the Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel and why people mix them up with chipmunks, check out Willy’s Wilderness.
Franklin’s Ground Squirrel
Franklin’s Ground Squirrel is bigger than a chipmunk and doesn’t have those obvious face stripes. Its fur looks gray-brown with some spots and patches, but you won’t see any clear stripes.
You’ll often spot this squirrel in open fields or farmland. It likes to stand upright on its back legs to watch for danger.
Franklin’s Ground Squirrel digs deep burrows and stays active during the day, just like chipmunks do. But you’ll find it almost always on the ground—it barely climbs trees at all.
You’ll notice solid, less flashy coats and a bigger size if you’re looking for Franklin’s Ground Squirrel.
Deer Mouse
The Deer Mouse is smaller than a chipmunk and has a totally different body shape. It has big eyes and ears, a long tail, and super soft fur.
Its back usually shows off brown or gray fur, and its belly is white. You won’t see stripes or cheek pouches on a Deer Mouse.
These little mice climb really well and live in woodlands, fields, or sometimes even in your house. Most of the time, they come out at night because they’re nocturnal.
Deer Mice munch on seeds, fruit, and insects. Their quick, jumpy moves might remind you of chipmunks, but their look and habits are pretty different.
Long-Tailed Weasel
Long-Tailed Weasels don’t exactly look like chipmunks, but sometimes people get confused because of their size and how fast they move. They have long, skinny bodies and really long tails with a black tip.
Their fur actually changes color—brown in summer, white in winter. They’re fierce hunters, chasing after small rodents.
Weasels don’t have stripes on their backs, so that’s one way to tell them apart from chipmunks. You won’t see a weasel packing food in its cheeks or digging burrows like a chipmunk.
Instead, watch for that quick, sneaky movement near rocks or along the ground when they’re hunting.
If you want more info on how to spot these animals, head over to the NatureMapping Foundation.
How to Tell Chipmunk Lookalikes Apart
You can spot the differences by checking out their size, stripe patterns, and where they hang out. These little clues really help when you’re trying to figure out if you’ve spotted a chipmunk or something else.
Size and Body Shape Differences
Chipmunks usually measure about 5 to 6 inches long, not counting the tail. They have compact bodies, round heads, and short legs.
If you see a bigger animal that looks like a chipmunk, it’s probably a golden-mantled ground squirrel. These ones have sturdier bodies and longer tails.
Ears can be a giveaway too. Chipmunks have rounded, upright ears, while ground squirrels have shorter, less obvious ears.
Paying attention to these features makes it easier to narrow down what you’re seeing.
Color Patterns and Stripes
Chipmunks show off bold stripes that run all the way from their heads down their backs. Their faces usually have clear stripes, including one right behind the eye.
Golden-mantled ground squirrels have similar stripes on their bodies but don’t have any on their heads. That’s a big clue.
Also, chipmunk stripes look dark and crisp, while ground squirrel stripes seem softer and less defined.
Habitat Preferences
Chipmunks usually hang out in wooded areas, gardens, and anywhere with plenty of cover. You’ll spot them ducking into burrows or slipping under rocks in the forest.
Ground squirrels, on the other hand, go for open, rocky spaces or meadows. They dig tunnels and keep an eye out for predators from their lookout points.
If you know your location, you can often make a good guess about which animal you’re seeing. In a forest or picnic spot? That’s probably a chipmunk. Out in open, rocky terrain? Chances are, it’s a ground squirrel.
Curious for more details? Take a look at this chipmunk and squirrel identification guide.
