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There are over 200 different types of squirrel living worldwide, with many different species living in the United States. Chipmunks have a similar breeding pattern, but they are commonly known to give birth to 4-5 babies at a time. Most squirrel species will have two litters, each consisting of 2 to 8 babies called kittens. Squirrels are able to begin mating at the age of one. Squirrels are able to mate twice a year, the first being around the end of February, lasting until May, and the second occurs at the end of spring. Chipmunks have been reported to survive up to 3 years in their natural habitat, or up to nine years in captivity.
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They can survive between five to ten years in the wild, though due to threats such as diseases, human interaction, and predators, this is normally much shorter. Squirrels are born blind and hairless, and are dependent on their mother for at least 6 weeks. Chipmunks, on the other hand, prefer to hide underground and dig their burrows usually 30 ft. This causes a pest problem for a lot of homeowners, as they have been known to build nests in garages, chimneys, attics, and their favorite place being bird feeders. Squirrels prefer living above ground, especially tree squirrels who are most commonly found in tree trunks. Not only this, but they were also found to eat grass, shoots, fungi, insects, small frogs, and even bird eggs.Ī big difference between these two animals is how they build their nests. Chipmunks also have an omnivorous diet which consists of seeds, nuts, buds, and fruits. This normally happens if their regular food source is in low supply. For example, Gray squirrels have been found to eat insects, snails, bird eggs, and even animal carcasses. Mostly they eat nuts, seeds, and fruit, but they are omnivores. The diet of the squirrel depends upon the species. This is different to the sound the squirrel makes, which is similar to the quack sound a duck produces, and sometimes they produce a whistling sound.īoth have an omnivorous diet. The the average chipmunk produces a clucking noise similar to bird noises, which is known to be high-pitched. Their eyes are much smaller than the squirrel, but their tails are equally as bushy.īoth are capable of producing sounds, normally to alert other members of their community to any nearby danger.
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The average chipmunk has a smaller body, ranging from 7 to 9 inches in length and weighing up to 1.8 ounces. Normally, squirrels have a slender shape, their eyes are larger, and their tails are more bushy. The size of the average squirrel differs from species to species, with gray squirrels measuring from 17 to 20 inches, and the average weight of 1.5 pounds. Squirrels normally appear to look larger than the average chipmunk. That said, some squirrels are not striped. Their fur is normally brown, gray, or reddish brown in color. Whereas the average squirrel only has lines or markings on their back. The average chipmunk has brown fur with yellow, black, and brown stripes starting at the head to the tail. Although both of these animals are covered in fur, they are fairly easy to tell apart due to the different color of fur.
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