Squirrel vs. Chipmunk — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
Squirrel is bushy-tailed rodent, larger, often seen climbing trees. Chipmunk is smaller, striped rodent, known for cheek pouches and ground-dwelling habits.
Difference Between Squirrel and Chipmunk
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Squirrel: Larger, bushy tail. Chipmunk: Smaller, striped back.
Squirrel: Climbs trees, nests in branches. Chipmunk: Lives in burrows, ground-dwelling.
Comparison Chart
Size
Larger, with bushy tail
Smaller, with stripes and cheek pouches
Habitat
Tree-dwelling, nests in branches
Ground-dwelling, lives in burrows
Facial Markings
Less prominent stripes
Distinctive facial stripes
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Activity Patterns
Diurnal, active during the day
Diurnal, active during the day
Food Storage
Stores food for winter in nests
Stuffs food in cheek pouches for storage
Compare with Definitions
Squirrel
Bushy-tailed, tree-climbing rodent.
I spotted a squirrel in the park collecting acorns.
Chipmunk
Striped, ground-dwelling rodent with cheek pouches.
The chipmunk darted into its burrow with stuffed cheeks.
Squirrel
Stores food in nests for the winter.
Squirrels gather nuts to prepare for cold weather.
Chipmunk
Active during daylight hours.
You can often see chipmunks foraging in the yard during the day.
Squirrel
Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-size rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including groundhogs), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs amongst other rodents.
Chipmunk
Chipmunks are small, striped rodents of the family Sciuridae. Chipmunks are found in North America, with the exception of the Siberian chipmunk which is found primarily in Asia.
Squirrel
Any of various arboreal rodents of the tribe Sciurini and especially of the genus Sciurus, characteristically having a long flexible bushy tail. Also called tree squirrel.
Chipmunk
Any of several small striped rodents of the genus Tamias, chiefly of North America.
Squirrel
Any of various other rodents of the family Sciuridae, such as the ground squirrels and the flying squirrels.
Chipmunk
A squirrel-like rodent of the genus Tamias, native mainly to North America.
Squirrel
The fur of one of these rodents.
Chipmunk
(transitive) To speed up (an audio recording, especially a song), to make the voices high-pitched.
Squirrel
To hide or store
Squirreled away her money.
Chipmunk
(transitive) To fill (one's mouth or cheeks) with food.
Squirrel
Any of the rodents of the family Sciuridae distinguished by their large bushy tail.
Chipmunk
(transitive) To stuff (food) into one's mouth or cheeks, sometimes as part of competitive eating.
Squirrel
A person, usually a freezoner, who applies L. Ron Hubbard's technology in a heterodox manner.
Chipmunk
A squirrel-like animal of the genus Tamias, sometimes called the striped squirrel, chipping squirrel, ground squirrel, hackee. The common species of the United States is the Tamias striatus.
Squirrel
One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
Chipmunk
Chipmunk of western America and Asia
Squirrel
Someone who displays a squirrel-like qualities such as stealing or hoarding objects.
Squirrel
(transitive) To store in a secretive manner, to hide something for future use
Squirrel
Any one of numerous species of small rodents belonging to the genus Sciurus and several allied genera of the family Sciuridæ. Squirrels generally have a bushy tail, large erect ears, and strong hind legs. They are commonly arboreal in their habits, but many species live in burrows.
Squirrel
One of the small rollers of a carding machine which work with the large cylinder.
Squirrel
A kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
Squirrel
The fur of a squirrel
Common Curiosities
Can chipmunks climb trees?
Chipmunks are ground-dwelling and less adept at climbing trees.
Do squirrels hibernate in winter?
No, they don't hibernate, but they rely on stored food for winter survival.
Do chipmunks make good pets?
Chipmunks are wild animals and not suitable as pets.
What do squirrels eat?
Squirrels primarily eat nuts, seeds, and fruits.
Are squirrels nocturnal animals?
No, squirrels are diurnal and active during the day.
What's the purpose of chipmunks' cheek pouches?
They use cheek pouches to transport food to their burrows.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
