If you saw a rustle in the trees and a chipmunk pop out of its branches, you might wonder, “is that a squirrel?” Let’s investigate this question; “is a chipmunk a squirrel?”
Did you know that squirrels and chipmunks belong to the same family? Both chipmunks and squirrels belong to the family Sciuridae, which makes them relatives. The family Sciuridae includes a wide variety of rodents commonly known as squirrels. This family is divided into several subfamilies and genera, encompassing many species.
There are three basic body forms that squirrels take: tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and ground squirrels.
1. Tree Squirrels
As the name suggests, Tree squirrels are often seen in trees!
2. Ground Squirrels
Ground squirrels live mostly on the ground and burrow into the soil. Large ground squirrels are usually referred to as marmots or prairie dogs, while smaller ground squirrels tend to be known as chipmunks.
3. Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels have a membrane between their limbs, allowing them to glide from tree to tree. Despite their name, they glide rather than fly.
So, is a chipmunk a squirrel?
Yes, a chipmunk is a type of ground squirrel!
What are the differences between a tree squirrel and a chipmunk?
Chipmunks are smaller, have distinctive stripes along their backs, and tend to burrow in the ground. Tree squirrels, on the other hand, are larger, often lack these stripes, and are more commonly found in trees.
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