Squirrels and chipmunks are both members of the squirrel family, Sciuridae. Prairie dogs, woodchucks, and marmots are also in the squirrel family. Although squirrels and chipmunks are closely related, homeowners should know their differences in case either rodent comes onto their property.  

    Keep reading to learn about the key differences between squirrels and chipmunks in appearances, habitats, diets, mating habits, lifespans, known predators, and destructive traits. 


    Differences Between Their Appearance

    The most common variety of squirrels in North America is the gray squirrel. Rather than actually being gray, their coat is a mixture of blacks, whites, and browns.  They generally grow to around 18 to 20 inches long and weigh around a pound-and-a-half.

    Chipmunks are tan-colored with five prominent black or dark-brown stripes running down their sides and back.  They have light-colored underbellies and brown feet. In contrast to the larger squirrel, chipmunks grow to 8 to 10 inches and weigh around 2 and 1/2 to 4 ounces.

    Chipmunks have distinct stripes, so you’ll never mistake them for a squirrel. On the other hand, squirrels lack stripes and are significantly larger.


    Differences Between Their Habitat

    Squirrels can survive in forests, open woodlands, parklands, suburban settings, and even densely populated urban environments such as New York City.

    woods

    Squirrels usually live in holes left in trees by woodpeckers, expanding them as they see fit. Their nests contain twigs, leaves, moss, and other materials, and they prefer to live high up in trees.

    While chipmunks live in woodland, parkland, suburban, and urban areas like squirrels, their optimal habitat is deciduous woodlands that contain a lot of stumps and logs.

    The reason for this is chipmunks typically live in burrows in the ground, some of which can become a complex system of tunnels and food storage areas.  They usually have a central nest filled with leaves and moss.

    Read more: Learn how to get rid of chipmunks.


    Differences Between Their Diets

    The primary diet of most squirrels is “mast” (the fruit and nuts of trees).  They prefer acorns from oak trees and nuts from beech trees and hickories. Squirrels also eat other types of food, such as mushrooms, flowers and buds, and plant shoots. They don’t hibernate and remain active all winter, relying on their fat reserves and cached mast stores to survive the cold season.

    Chipmunks, on the other hand, are omnivorous. They’ll eat just about anything, including garden vegetables, berries, fruit, roots, corn, seeds, and mushrooms. They’ll also eat insects, earthworms, snails, bird’s eggs, frogs, salamanders, small snakes, young birds, and mice.

    From mid-summer to October, chipmunks gather as much food as possible, storing it in their burrows. Although they don’t hibernate like a bear, they go into a state of torpor, fluctuating back and forth between sleep and grogginess when they eat their stored supplies.

    The main dietary difference is that squirrels focus on tree mast like acorns and nuts, while chipmunks are omnivorous and eat various foods, including insects and small animals. Both gather and cache food for the winter months.

    Read more: Learn how to get rid of squirrels.


    Differences Between Reproduction

    Squirrels mate twice a year — once around January, with a litter born sometime in March, then in May or June, with the litter born in July or August. A third mating may take place when food is particularly abundant that year.

    Chipmunks have a similar mating cycle, breeding in early spring and again in mid-summer if food supplies permit. The gestation period for chipmunks is 31 days, and they give birth to litters of four to five young.

    Both squirrels and chipmunks can have two to three litters per year under optimal conditions. The main difference is that chipmunk litters are smaller, while squirrels may have up to eight young.


    Differences Between Their Lifespans

    In the wild, squirrels typically live around six years, while chipmunks average two to three years. With ideal habitat conditions and no predators, squirrels may reach 10 to 12 years and chipmunks five to six years.

    Domesticated squirrels kept as pets often exceed 12 years. In optimal circumstances, squirrels generally outlive chipmunks by several years.


    Differences Between Known Predators

    Squirrels and chipmunks share many of the same natural predators. Hawks, owls, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, snakes, weasels, martens, and other mammals prey on both species.

    However, squirrels have an advantage that chipmunks lack — the ability to escape by jumping and climbing trees. For this reason, chipmunks are more vulnerable to land-bound predators like foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and snakes.

    So, while they share many of the same predators, chipmunks are more prone to land predation due to their inability to climb trees.


    Differences Between Their Destructive Traits

    Both squirrels and chipmunks can cause damage around homes by digging under porches or decks or nesting in attics. However, squirrels are more prone to entering houses in search of shelter.

    chipmunk

    Regarding gardens and landscaping, squirrels cause more damage by digging up flower bulbs and eating growing plants. Chipmunks focus more on seeds and fruits.

    Squirrels also aggressively harvest mast from trees, sometimes stripping branches and hampering nut production. They’re also more likely than chipmunks to chew on outdoor fixtures, wires, and infrastructure.

    So when it comes to being a nuisance around homes, squirrels tend to be more problematic due to their burrowing habits and tree mast foraging.


    Differences in Pest Control Methods

    For both squirrels and chipmunks, exclusion is the first line of defense. Sealing off entry points to the home with wire mesh, caulk, or other materials can prevent pest infestations.

    Trapping and removal may be required once they gain access. For chipmunks, baiting with peanuts or sunflower seeds works well. Squirrels are more difficult to trap and may need more pungent bait.

    Finally, population management through habitat modification can make a property less attractive. For squirrels, this includes removing birdfeeders and trimming back branches. For chipmunks, eliminate rock piles, brush, and log debris near the home.

    So, while exclusion and trapping are effective for both, the bait and habitat preferences differ slightly between these rodents.


    So, Are Squirrels and Chipmunks the Same?

    While squirrels and chipmunks share a family lineage and have some similarities, they are distinctly different rodents. The most noticeable differences are their size and markings. Squirrels lack stripes and are much larger than chipmunks.

    They also differ in preferred habitats and diets. Squirrels live in trees and eat mast, while chipmunks dig burrows and are omnivorous. In addition, squirrels tend to live longer and be more problematic around homes.

    The bottom line is that squirrels and chipmunks may seem alike at first glance but have distinct traits when observed more closely. Homeowners dealing with nuisance rodents can tell them apart and control them accordingly.


    FAQs About Squirrels and Chipmunks

    How can you tell a squirrel vs a chipmunk?

    The easiest way is by looking at their size and stripes. Chipmunks are small with prominent stripes, while squirrels are larger and lack stripes.


    Do squirrels and chipmunks get along?

    Squirrels and chipmunks generally ignore each other, though squirrels may prey on young chipmunks. They don’t directly compete for resources.


    What is the squirrel's biggest predator?

    Hawks, owls, snakes, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and weasels all prey on squirrels. Their biggest threat comes from raptors like hawks and owls.


    Do chipmunks carry disease?

    Chipmunks can carry diseases like plague and pox viruses. But, the risk of transmitting the disease to humans is very low.


    How long do chipmunks live as pets?

    Domesticated chipmunks kept as pets may live up to eight years, twice as long as in the wild. Proper diet and housing are required.


    Why do squirrels destroy gardens?

    Squirrels dig up newly planted bulbs and seeds in search of food. They also eat ripening fruits and vegetables. Using fencing and repellents can help deter them.


    Can you get sick from chipmunk droppings?

    Fresh chipmunk droppings aren’t likely to cause illness. However, accumulated old droppings in an attic may pose a health risk from bacteria.


    Editorial Contributors
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    Jordan Tyler Quinn Farkas

    Expert Writer & Reviewer

    Jordan Tyler Quinn Farkas is a globetrotting content writer hailing from the USA. With a passion for pest control, he brings a unique perspective to his writing from his early years working for one of the largest pest control companies in America. Throughout his early 20s, Jordan gained valuable experience and knowledge in the field, tackling pest infestations head-on and ensuring the well-being of countless homes.

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    Amy DeYoung

    Contributor

    Amy DeYoung has a passion for educating and motivating homeowners to improve their lives through home improvement projects and preventative measures. She is a content writer and editor specializing in pest control, moving, window, and lawn/gardening content for Today’s Homeowner. Amy utilizes her own experience within the pest control and real estate industry to educate readers. She studied business, communications, and writing at Arizona State University.

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