Ever spotted a little striped critter darting across your yard and thought, “Wait, is that a ground squirrel or a chipmunk?” It’s a pretty common question. Here’s the main thing: chipmunks are smaller, rock those bold stripes from head to tail, and usually hang out solo. Ground squirrels? They’re bigger, their stripes are faint (or missing on the head), and they’re way more social—think colonies, not loners.
You might spot chipmunks holding their bushy tails high as they zip through woodlands or forests. Ground squirrels, though, stick to open spots like grasslands and dig out huge burrows where a bunch of them live together.
If you’re curious about how to tell them apart in your backyard, or just want to know more about their habits, you’re in the right place.
Key Differences Between Ground Squirrels and Chipmunks
You’ll spot some clear differences in their looks, behaviors, and favorite hangouts. Once you know what to look for, telling a ground squirrel from a chipmunk gets way easier.
Physical Appearance
Ground squirrels usually come in bigger sizes than chipmunks. They measure about 9 to 20 inches long, tails included.
Chipmunks? They’re smaller, around 5 to 8 inches long.
Both animals have stripes, but chipmunks show off five dark stripes with lighter ones in between that stretch right from their heads down their backs. Ground squirrels only have stripes on their backs, and those are usually pretty faint.
You can check out their tails for another hint. Chipmunks have bushier, shorter tails, and they often carry them upright when running.
Ground squirrels have longer, thinner tails that tend to stay low.
Their ears are different too. Chipmunks sport round ears on top of their heads. Ground squirrels have smaller ears that sit closer to their heads.
Behavior and Lifestyle
One of the biggest differences? Social life. Chipmunks like being alone.
Each chipmunk digs its own burrow and won’t let others in except during mating season.
Ground squirrels, on the other hand, enjoy company and live in colonies. Their burrows can house anywhere from just a few to 30 squirrels.
Living in groups helps them watch out for danger and share resources.
When winter hits, chipmunks go into torpor. They sleep deeply but wake up now and then to snack.
Ground squirrels hibernate for months, staying underground and inactive.
Habitat Preferences
Ground squirrels make homes in all sorts of places—grasslands, deserts, forests, and meadows. They dig deep, complex burrows.
Chipmunks prefer forests, woodlands, or open meadows. Their tunnels are usually long but not as deep as the ground squirrels’ burrows.
Location helps with ID too. Ground squirrels show up a lot in the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and Midwest.
Chipmunks live in 37 states, especially in the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and South.
If you want more details, here’s a handy comparison of ground squirrels and chipmunks.
Distribution and Family Classification
Where these critters live and how they fit into the squirrel family tree can also help you tell them apart.
Their range and family group really shape their looks and habits.
Geographic Range
Chipmunks mostly stick to wooded or brushy spots across North America. You’ll find them in places like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and parts of Canada.
They like forests with lots of cover—think logs or rocks—where they can hide and dig their burrows.
Ground squirrels prefer open spaces. Look for them in grasslands, fields, or even suburban lawns, especially out west in states like California and Texas.
Their colonies often sprawl through open fields and prairies, with big, obvious burrow systems.
Role in the Squirrel Family
Chipmunks and ground squirrels both sit comfortably in the squirrel family (Sciuridae), but they branch off into different groups. Chipmunks fall under the genus Tamias, which has about 25 species scattered mostly around North America.
You’ll probably recognize the Eastern chipmunk—it’s the one darting around backyards and parks. Ground squirrels, on the other hand, come from the genus Spermophilus or sometimes Otospermophilus.
They’ve got some similarities with prairie dogs and marmots, which is kind of interesting. Because of this family split, chipmunks usually live alone in the woods.
Ground squirrels? They’re much more social, hanging out in colonies in wide open areas.
