Ground squirrels and Chipmunks are two different species of squirrels. They are commonly found in various areas across North America. These two types of squirrels seem similar in appearance at first glance.
However, there are huge differences between Ground Squirrel vs. Chipmunk. Their genera are different and exhibit distinct physical characteristics, habitats, behaviors, diets, and ecological roles.
This article will tell you the difference between ground squirrels and Chipmunks. If you are a wildlife lover, you will love this article. Here, you will get information on their taxonomy, physical traits, habitat preferences, diet preferences, and ecological roles.
We hope this article will be useful for you. Hence, keep reading till the end to get all the authentic information about ground squirrels and chipmunks.
Ground Squirrel vs. Chipmunk
We have already mentioned that Ground squirrels and Chipmunks have differences in many features. In this section, we will describe the differences in detail.
Taxonomy
| Feature | Ground Squirrels | Chipmunks |
| Family | Sciuridae | Sciuridae |
| Genus | Spermophilus | Tamias |
| Common Species | Thirteen-lined ground squirrel, California ground squirrel | Western Chipmunk, Eastern Chipmunk |
Description: Ground squirrels and Chipmunks are from the same family in taxonomy. But, their genera are different. Ground squirrels are from Spermophilus and Chipmunks are from Tamias.
13 striped ground squirrels are the most common species of Ground squirrels, they have light and dark stripes on the back of them which extend till the head. That’s why ground squirrels are also known as spotted squirrels.
On the other hand, the Eastern Chipmunks are the most common species among Chipmunks. Chipmunks have stripes too but not on the head.
Physical Traits
| Feature | Ground Squirrels | Chipmunks |
| Size | Larger in size (around 9 to 16 inches) | Smaller in size (8 to 11 inches) |
| Body Shape | RobustCylindrical | SlenderElongated |
| Weight | 3 to 4 ounces | 2 to 4 ounces |
| Color | Gray to brown (Color distribution is uniform) | Reddish brown (Belly portion is white) |
| Tail | 3 to 6 inches long bushy tail (Shorter in body length ratio) | 3 to 4 inches long bushy tail (Longer in body length ratio) |
Description: Ground squirrels are larger and heavier than the Chipmunks. Besides, ground squirrels are more robust and cylindrical whereas the Chipmunks are slender.
According to the body length, chipmunks have long tails and Ground squirrels have small. They also exhibit different body colors. The color of Ground squirrels is gray to brown and Chipmunks have a reddish-brown color.
Habitat & Diet Preferences
| Feature | Ground Squirrels | Chipmunks |
| Habitat | Open areas like grassland, rocky outcrops, wooden hillsides, and parks | Forests, woodlands, forest edges, etc |
| Primary Diet | Seeds, nuts, vegetables, small insects | Nuts, fruits, seeds, and sometimes insects |
| Food Storage | Generally, Ground squirrels do not store foods on a large scale | Store foods in cheek pouches for the winter season. Sometimes, they hide food in trees. |
Description: Ground squirrels prefer open grassland, landscapes, and wooden hillsides. But, Chipmunks prefer forests and woodlands.
The diet patterns of Ground squirrels and Chipmunks are quite similar. Both of them prefer nuts, seeds, fruits, and even insects. However, their food storage system is different. Ground squirrels do not store food, they store fat cells in their body for winter. But, Chipmunks store foods in cheek pouches.
Behavior & Ecological Role
| Feature | Ground Squirrels | Chipmunks |
| Feeding Behavior | Forages on the ground | Forages both on the ground and in trees |
| Social Behavior | Live in colonies generally | Live solitary (Limited social interactions) |
| Communication | Use body postures and vocalization for communication | Use vocalization and body language |
| Activity | Diurnal | Diurnal |
| Burrowing | Extensive | Simple |
| Ecological Role | Seed dispersal by Ground squirrels helps in germination and plant reforestation. | Simple burrows assist in soil health. |
Description: Behaviors of ground squirrels and Chipmunks are quite different. Ground squirrels forage only on the ground whereas the Chipmunks forage on the ground and in trees.
Both of the squirrels are active during the day. But, ground squirrels generally live colonially with an extensive burrow system and Chipmunks live solitary with simple burrowing.
Ground squirrels consume seeds, so seed dispersal may occur which helps in germination and regeneration of plants. On the other hand, Chipmunks have a simple burrowing system making the soil healthy.
Do Chipmunks Climb Trees?
Yes, Chipmunks can climb trees. They are ground-dwelling squirrels but they can climb trees. So, they can forage on the ground as well as in trees. Chipmunks have agile limbs with sharp claws that assist them in climbing easily. Besides, they have a long bushy tail to balance during climbing.
Climbing ability provides special shelter and safety to the Chipmunks. They can make nests on the branches of trees that give them strong safety from any enemy.
Moreover, as they can climb trees, forest environments become perfect habitats for the Chipmunks. They use trees to make their territories.
3 Special Tips to Distinguish between Ground Squirrels and Chipmunks
You have already learned the difference between Ground squirrels and Chipmunks in the aspects of their taxonomy, physical traits, habitat & dietary preferences, behaviors, and ecological roles. Now, we will give you 3 special tips to identify the correct species easily and quickly.
- Look for Distinctive Stripes
According to the University of Michigan’s Animal Diversity Web, 13 stripped-lined ground squirrels have 7 dark brown and 6 tan stripes that extend to their head.
On the other hand, Chipmunks have wider brown and tan strips on their back
- Check Habitat & Behavior
You can see the Ground squirrels on open lands like grasslands, and wooden hillsides. They always try to live in colonies with great burrow systems.
But, Chipmunks don’t live in colonies. They generally live solitary. You can see them in forests.
- Examine Food Storage Habits
Food storage habit is an important feature of squirrels. You can easily identify Ground squirrels and Chipmunks by examining their food habits.
Ground squirrels do not store food. They gain weight to increase their fat stores which help them to live in winter. Besides, they sleep more during the winter to reduce their activity and energy requirements.
On the contrary, Chipmunks store foods in their cheek pouches for winter. As they can climb trees, they also can store food in the cavity of the trees.
That’s how you can easily identify Ground squirrels and Chipmunks by observing their behavior, habitat, food, appearance, etc.
Conclusion
Ground squirrels and Chipmunks are both members of the squirrel family. They can look similar at first glance but have notable differences in taxonomy, physical traits, habitat and diet preferences, and behaviors.
Ground squirrels are large with short tails while the Chipmunks are smaller with long tails. Ground squirrels are more social than Chipmunks. But, Chipmunks can store food for winter while Ground squirrels sleep more during winter to reduce energy expenditure.Understanding these small differences is interesting for animal lovers. Besides, if you know the difference between Ground Squirrel vs. Chipmunk, you can accurately identify specific species of squirrels.
