Ever spot a little striped critter zipping across your yard and wonder if it’s a squirrel or a chipmunk? At first glance, they can look pretty similar, but honestly, the differences are easy to spot once you know what to look for. Squirrels are bigger, fluffier, and spend most of their time up in the trees. Chipmunks are smaller, have stripes, and stick closer to the ground or even underground.
Chipmunks have bold stripes down their backs and faces, and their tails look shorter and less fluffy. Squirrels? They’ve got those iconic bushy tails and usually a more solid brownish-gray color.
Besides their looks, their homes and habits make them easy to tell apart. Once you know the basics, you’ll spot the difference right away.
If you enjoy watching these animals or need to deal with them around your house, understanding their differences really helps. Want more details? Check out this chipmunk and squirrel identification guide.
Key Differences Between Squirrels and Chipmunks
You can tell chipmunks and squirrels apart by looking at their size, color, and favorite hangouts. Even though they’re both in the squirrel family, their habits and features are pretty different.
This makes it easier to figure out which one you’re seeing in your yard.
Physical Characteristics and Size
Chipmunks are definitely smaller than squirrels and have those noticeable stripes on their backs. Most chipmunks show five dark stripes running down their bodies.
Squirrels like the gray squirrel are larger and usually have plain coats or, at most, four faint stripes.
Squirrels sport those big, bushy tails. Chipmunks’ tails are much smaller and a bit scruffy.
Chipmunks also have cheek pouches for carrying food—kind of adorable, honestly.
| Feature | Chipmunk | Squirrel (e.g., Gray Squirrel) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small (5-6 inches long) | Larger (9-12 inches long) |
| Tail | Small and less bushy | Long and bushy |
| Stripes | 5 dark stripes on body | Usually 4 stripes or none |
| Cheek Pouches | Present | Absent |
Classification and Squirrel Family
Both belong to the Sciuridae family, so they’re related, but they’re still different animals.
Chipmunks fall under the genus Tamias and are a specific type of squirrel. The squirrel group includes all sorts—tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and more.
The eastern chipmunk is the most common chipmunk in North America. It shares family ties with gray squirrels but acts pretty differently.
Chipmunks act more like ground squirrels, while gray squirrels spend their lives in the trees.
Habitats and Range
You’ll mostly find chipmunks scurrying on the ground in wooded or bushy spots. They dig burrows underground and stash their food down there.
Chipmunks rarely climb trees. They’re just not into it.
Gray squirrels, on the other hand, love living high up in trees. They build nests called dreys out of twigs and leaves.
Squirrels hang out in forests, parks, and even city neighborhoods. Chipmunks stick closer to the ground and won’t move into attics like squirrels sometimes do.
Their different living choices keep them from fighting over the same space.
Want more? Here’s an explanation of squirrel vs chipmunk habitats.
Distinct Behaviors and Lifestyles
You’ll spot some big differences in how squirrels and chipmunks eat, live, and mess with your yard. Their habits shape the way they interact with your home and garden.
Feeding Habits and Diet
Chipmunks eat a little bit of everything. They munch on nuts, seeds, insects, fruit, and even eggs sometimes.
They stuff food in their cheek pouches and haul it back to their burrows. That way, they can store a bunch of snacks underground for later.
Gray squirrels stick with nuts, seeds, and fruit. They don’t really go for insects.
Squirrels stash nuts all over the place above ground so they can dig them up later. You might catch them burying acorns in your yard.
Both animals spend a lot of time gathering and hiding food for winter. Chipmunks focus on one big storage spot underground, while squirrels hide food in lots of different places.
This difference means you’ll find signs of their activity in different spots.
Burrowing and Nesting Habits
Chipmunks dig out burrows below ground. Their tunnels have separate rooms for nesting, food storage, and hiding out.
If you notice small holes with loose dirt in your yard, chipmunks probably made them.
Gray squirrels build nests, or dreys, high up in the branches. They use twigs and leaves to make a cozy spot.
Squirrels also use tree hollows and, sometimes, sneak into attics for shelter.
Hear noises in your attic or see chewed spots near the roof? That’s probably squirrels. Chipmunks almost never go inside houses—they stick to the ground.
Activity Patterns
Both chipmunks and squirrels stay busy during the day, especially around sunrise and sunset.
Chipmunks can go into a hibernation-like state called torpor when it’s cold. They stay underground for long stretches.
Squirrels don’t hibernate. They stay active all winter and rely on their hidden food stashes.
You might spot squirrels running around in the trees or on your roof even when it’s freezing out.
These activity patterns affect when and where you’ll notice them. Loud noises in the attic during the day? That’s usually squirrels.
Lawn and Garden Impact
Squirrels chew on wooden parts of your home and gnaw wires in attics. They drag nuts inside and leave droppings that make a mess and smell bad.
Chipmunks dig up bulbs and roots in your yard. Their burrows can crack driveways or patios and mess up garden beds.
They eat fruits and vegetables, too.
If you notice small tunnel entrances near your house or loose soil, chipmunks are probably the cause. Damage to your roof or attic usually means squirrels are around.
Want to dig deeper? Check out Critter Control’s squirrel vs chipmunk guide.
