2007-10-01 10:28:45 · 12 answers · asked by moonlight 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
The animals we know as chipmunks and squirrels are all members of the squirrel family. In fact, chipmunks are actually a type of squirrel - a ground squirrel. Prairie dogs are also ground squirrels. What makes a chipmunk a chipmunk is morphological. If it looks like a chipmunk, people tend to call it a chipmunk. There is really no set distinction between chipmunks and other ground squirrels save the recent species divergence on the evolutionary tree. That is to say, chipmunks are more closely related to other chipmunks than other ground squirrels but not by that much. Google a picture of a ground squirrel and you will find they look very much like the animals you know as chipmunks. I am going to assume that the animal you are referring to as a squirrel is in fact a tree squirrel. Tree squirrel differ from ground squirrels morphologically and behaviorally due to their arboreal (tree-dwelling) lifestyle.
2007-10-01 10:31:52 · answer #1 · answered by lightcommastix 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lightcommastix's answer is a pretty good one. All chipmunks are squirrels, but not all squirrels are chipmunks (in the same sense as all tigers are cats, but not all cats are tigers). The name chipmunk is generally used to describe the very small ground squirrels that are light to dark brown and are striped.
Here's a link to a picture of a Least Chipmunk:
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/resources/phil_myers/ADW_mammals_3_4_03/tamias_minimus2339.jpg/view.html
Here in Colorado, chipmunks are most commonly confused with Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels - and I'm wondering if that is where your question is coming from. They do look similiar, but the stripe on the chipmunk goes through the eye where the stripe on the ground squirrel stops at the neck. Here's a link to a picture of a Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel:
http://www.nhptv.org/Natureworks/goldensquirrel.htm
2007-10-01 12:21:11 · answer #2 · answered by Tiere13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A squirrel is larger, has no stripes, and a large, long, fluffy tail.
A chipmunk is smaller, generally tan with a white underbelly and black and white stripes running horizontally down its sides, and has a very small little tuft of a tail.
2007-10-01 10:30:54 · answer #3 · answered by gilgamesh 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i believe they are in the same genus because they are very very similar.
however a squirrel is usually larger, and wider.
chipmunks are very small and more agile. they also have stripes down their back.
also, a squirrel has a much bushier tail
the chipmunks i have seen are brown, while most squirrels are gray or black
2007-10-01 10:33:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chipmunks A.K.A.groundsquirrels are smaller than others and usually live in burrows. Ordinary squirrels are tree dwellers and usually live in hollow tree cavities. All squirrels are rodents.
2007-10-01 10:34:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are two different species. Squirrels have long bushy tails, chipmunks are shorter and fatter and have tiny tails
2007-10-01 10:31:00 · answer #6 · answered by trippystemny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Squirrels live in trees and eat lots of nuts. They like corn and bird seed.
They look like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photosquirrels/179282361/in/set-72057594128554742/
Chipmunks live on the ground I believe and look like these photos...
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/chipmunks.html
2007-10-01 10:36:59 · answer #7 · answered by ♥♥The Queen Has Spoken♥♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Squirrels have big bushy tails and no stripes. Chimpmunks have a stripe down the back and not much of a tail.
2007-10-01 10:31:15 · answer #8 · answered by michinoku2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chipmunks make records, LOL. :)
2007-10-01 10:31:08 · answer #9 · answered by Ashley 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Size.
2007-10-01 10:31:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋