Examples of animals like squirrels include marmot, chipmunk, prairie dog, and woodchucks.
Do you ever see an animal and think that it looks like a squirrel?
There are quite a few animals out there that share some similarities with squirrels.
In this blog post, we will take a look at some of these animals.
We will also discuss the differences between these creatures and squirrels.
Examples of Animals Like Squirrels
Examples of Animals Like Squirrels
Scientific NameMarmota broweriType of AnimalMammalRangeBrooks Range
The Alaska marmot is a type of ground squirrel that is found in the northern parts of North America.
These animals are similar to squirrels in that they have bushy tails, furry coats, and long hind legs.
However, marmots are typically larger than squirrels and have shorter front legs.
2. Allen’s Chipmunk
2. Allen’s Chipmunk
Scientific NameNeotamias senexType of AnimalMammalRangeCalifornia, Nevada, and Oregon
The Allen’s chipmunk is a species of a chipmunk that is found in western North America.
This creature shares some similarities with squirrels, including its small size and furry tail.
However, the Allen’s chipmunk has stripes on its back and sides, whereas squirrels do not have any markings on their fur.
In addition, chipmunks typically have shorter tails than squirrels.
Scientific NameTamias alpinusType of AnimalMammalRangehigh Sierra Nevada
The alpine chipmunk is a small rodent that is found in the mountains of North America.
These creatures are similar to squirrels in that they have bushy tails, long hind legs, and sharp claws.
They are also proficient climbers and often build their nests in trees.
4. Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
4. Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Scientific NameCynomys ludovicianusType of AnimalMammalRangethe Great Plains
The black-tailed prairie dog looks very similar to a squirrel, and they are often mistaken for each other.
They are both small, furry creatures with long tails.
However, there are some key differences between these two animals.
For one, prairie dogs live in burrows underground, while squirrels live in trees.
Prairie dogs are also social creatures, living in large communities, whereas squirrels are mostly solitary.
5. California Chipmunk
5. California Chipmunk
Scientific NameTamias obscurusType of AnimalMammalRangeMexico and in southern California
The California chipmunk is a small, brown, and white striped rodent.
These creatures are found in western North America.
They are closely related to the eastern chipmunk, but they have some distinct differences.
For one, the California chipmunk has darker stripes on its back.
Additionally, these animals are smaller than their eastern cousins.
6. Cliff Chipmunk
6. Cliff Chipmunk
Scientific NameTamias dorsalisType of AnimalMammalRangeUnited States and Mexico
If you live in North America, then you have probably seen a cliff chipmunk before.
These small animals are very similar in appearance to squirrels.
They have bushy tails and they are brown in color.
Cliff chipmunks also like to eat nuts and seeds.
Scientific NameTamias quadrivittatusType of AnimalMammalRangeColorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico
The Colorado chipmunk is a small rodent that is found in the western United States.
They are brown with white stripes running down their backs.
They are about the same size as a squirrel and have long tails.
8. Gray-Collared Chipmunk
8. Gray-Collared Chipmunk
Scientific NameTamias cinereicollisType of AnimalMammalRangeeastern Arizona
The gray-collared chipmunk is a close relative of the squirrel.
These creatures are native to North America and can be found in wooded areas.
They are small animals with reddish-brown fur and white stripes on their backs.
Their tails are long and fluffy.
9. Gray-Footed Chipmunk
9. Gray-Footed Chipmunk
Scientific NameTamias canipesType of AnimalMammalRangeNew Mexico and in the Sierra Diablo
The gray-footed chipmunk is a rodent that is found in North America.
The main difference between the two animals is that the gray-footed chipmunk has stripes on its back, whereas squirrels do not.
Scientific NameCynomys gunnisoniType of AnimalMammalRangeArizona and New Mexico
Gunnison’s prairie dogs are rodents that are native to the southwestern United States.
These animals are similar to squirrels in that they have bushy tails, long hind legs, and short front legs.
They also build burrows underground and use them for shelter.
However, there are some key differences between Gunnison’s prairie dogs and squirrels.
For one, Gunnison’s prairie dogs are much larger than squirrels.
They also have different diets, as Gunnison’s prairie dogs are herbivores while squirrels are omnivores.
Scientific NameMarmota caligataType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
The hoary marmot is a species of large ground squirrel.
These creatures are found in North America and parts of Russia.
Hoary marmots are the largest member of the squirrel family.
Scientific NameNeotamias rufusType of AnimalMammalRangeColorado, Utah and Arizona
This creature is found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
It is a small mammal that looks similar to a squirrel.
The Hopi chipmunk has striped fur and a long tail.
It also has large cheeks that it uses to store food.
Scientific NameNeotamias minimusType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
The least chipmunk is a small rodent that is found in North America.
This creature has a reddish-brown body with white stripes running down its back.
It also has a bushy tail.
The least chipmunk is similar to squirrels in that they are both small rodents with bushy tails.
Scientific NameTamias speciosusType of AnimalMammalRange western North America
The lodgepole chipmunk is a small rodent that is found in western North America.
This creature has many similarities to squirrels, including its size, coloring, and habits.
For example, like squirrels, lodgepole chipmunks are proficient tree-climbers.
They also build nests in trees and consume nuts and seeds as part of their diet.
Long-Eared Chipmunk
Long-Eared Chipmunk
Scientific NameTamias quadrimaculatusType of AnimalMammalRangecentral and northern Sierra
The long-eared chipmunk is a small rodent that is found in North America.
This creature has brown fur and white stripes on its back.
It is similar to a squirrel in that it has a long tail and furry ears.
However, the long-eared chipmunk does not have as much fur on its body as a squirrel does.
Additionally, this animal is not as proficient at climbing trees as a squirrel is.
Scientific NameTamias merriamiType of AnimalMammalRangecentral and southern California
This little creature is found in western North America and shares many similarities with squirrels.
For starters, they are both small animals with furry tails.
They also have similar coloring, with both animals being various shades of brown.
Scientific NameMarmota olympusType of AnimalMammalRangethe Olympic Mountains
These rodents are found in the mountainous regions of North America.
They are similar to squirrels in that they are small and have furry tails.
The main difference between marmots and squirrels is that marmots are much larger.
Scientific NameTamias palmeriType of AnimalMammalRangesouthern Nevada
This Palmer’s Chipmunk is found in western North America and typically has brown fur with white stripes running down its back.
It also has a long tail that it uses for balance when climbing trees.
Like squirrels, Palmer’s chipmunks are good climbers and often build their homes in trees.
Scientific NameTamias panamintinusType of AnimalMammalRangesoutheast California
The Panamint chipmunk is a small mammal that is found in the western United States.
This creature has many similarities to squirrels, including its size, shape, and coloring.
This creature has many similarities to squirrels, including its size, shape, and coloring.
Red-Tailed Chipmunk
Red-Tailed Chipmunk
Scientific NameNeotamias ruficaudusType of AnimalMammalRangeAlberta and British Columbia
The red-tailed chipmunk is a small rodent that is found in North America.
These creatures have reddish-brown fur on their backs and white fur on their bellies.
They also have a long tail that is tipped with black.
Red-tailed chipmunks are similar to squirrels in that they are both small rodents with bushy tails.
Scientific NameTamias siskiyouType of AnimalMammalRangenorthern California
The Siskiyou chipmunk is a small, brown, and white rodent that is found in the mountains of California and Oregon.
This creature has many similarities to squirrels, including its size, coloring, and love of nuts and seeds.
Scientific NameTamias sonomaeType of AnimalMammalRange western United States
The Sonoma chipmunk is a small, brown, and white rodent that is found in the western United States.
This creature is related to squirrels and shares many similarities with them.
Like squirrels, the Sonoma chipmunk has a long tail that it uses for balance.
This animal also has furry ears and large eyes.
Scientific NameNeotamias umbrinusType of AnimalMammalRangewestern United States
The Uinta chipmunk is a small rodent that is found in the western United States.
This animal is closely related to the eastern chipmunk.
The Uinta chipmunk has a reddish-brown coat with white stripes running down its back.
This creature is smaller than a squirrel and has a long tail.
Scientific NameCynomys parvidensType of AnimalMammalRangeUnited States and parts of Canada
These critters are found in the western United States and parts of Canada.
They are similar to squirrels in that they are small, burrowers, and have bushy tails.
Scientific NameMarmota vancouverensisType of AnimalMammalRangeVancouver Island
This marmot species is one of the largest members of the squirrel family, weighing up to 11 kg (24 lb).
The Vancouver marmot has several similarities with squirrels, including its small size, furry appearance, and long tail.
Scientific NameCynomys leucurusType of AnimalMammalRange North America
If you take a look at a white-tailed prairie dog, you might think that it looks a lot like a squirrel.
These two animals are actually related.
White-tailed prairie dogs are a type of ground squirrel.
They are native to the Great Plains of North America.
These creatures live in underground burrows.
Scientific NameMarmota monaxType of AnimalMammalRangeeastern U.S
Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, are rodents that are found in North America.
They are similar to squirrels in that they have bushy tails and long hind legs.
Woodchucks also have short front legs and large claws that they use for digging.
These creatures typically live in burrows underground and come out to forage for food.
Scientific NameMarmota flaviventrisType of AnimalMammalRangeNorth America
If you live in North America, then you may be familiar with the yellow-bellied marmot.
These animals are often mistaken for groundhogs or woodchucks.
Marmots are actually a type of squirrel.
Marmots are larger than groundhogs, but they are smaller than beavers.
There are many animals that look similar to squirrels.
These include chipmunks, prairie dogs, chinchillas, and marmots.
Although they share some similarities in appearance, each of these creatures has its own unique features that set it apart from the others.
Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal.
Squirrels are small rodents known for their bushy tails and habit of storing food in tree holes during the cold season.
These cute animals also have cheek pockets where they keep their food before burying it!
Squirrels can be found all over the world and range in color from gray to brown to red.
There are many animals that look like squirrels and even have similar habits!
This article will tell you all about the animals like squirrels and explain to you how these creatures are similar to them.
It’s hard to believe that so many animals resemble and share characteristics with squirrels.
So, here are nine animals like squirrels.
So, here are nine animals like squirrels.
1. Lodgepole Chipmunk
1. Lodgepole Chipmunk
1. Lodgepole Chipmunk
Lodgepole Chipmunk on trunk | image by Ryan.padilla via Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0
Scientific Name: Tamias speciosus
Why Lodgepole Chipmunks are like squirrels: They both have cheek pouches where they keep food while traveling.
Lodgepole chipmunks are small mammals that live in western North American mountain forests.
This type of chipmunk also has black paws with white toes, making them easy to spot if you come across one!
Squirrels and Lodgepole Chipmunks both store food in their cheek pouches before eating it.
This allows them to take their food with them and eat in a place where they feel safe, such as a tree branch or cave.
Hoary Marmot sits on rock | image by Colin Bowdery via Flickr | CC BY 2.0
Scientific Name: Marmota caligata
Why Hoary Marmots are like squirrels: Since they are both from the rodent family, they share a similar appearance.
The hoary marmot is often called “the squirrel of the Rocky Mountains,” because it has such a similar appearance to a squirrel—though it’s usually larger than most rodents of its species.
Hoary marmots are also more sociable than other types of ground squirrels.
Hoary marmots and squirrels are both rodent family members; that’s why they look very similar.
While both species have large bodies covered in fur, hoary marmots have a darker gray color than squirrels.
Both of them have bushy tails that aid in their balance when running along branches or climbing trees.
Scientific Name: Talpidae
Why Moles are like squirrels: Moles and squirrels both hoard food.
Moles are small, furry creatures that live underground for most of their lives.
They live in tunnels dug by themselves and eat worms, insects, snails, and other small animals found in the dirt.
Moles also enjoy collecting sand and pebbles from the ground in their tunnels, and they use these sand grains as a tool to move dirt around when looking for food or building new tunnels.
Squirrels and moles share one characteristic.
They store food in their burrows for later consumption.
Squirrels collect nuts, while moles hoard earthworms dug up from beneath the ground.
Hamsters eating food | Image by Christine Trewer from Pixabay
Scientific Name: Cricetinae
Why Hamsters are like squirrels: They both have cheek pouches to store food for later.
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These little creatures are nocturnal animals that spend most of their time sleeping during the day, though they occasionally venture out at night to explore their surroundings.
When threatened, these animals can be quite aggressive, but they are generally friendly to humans.
Hamsters, like squirrels, are herbivores who eat mostly grains and seeds, as well as some fruits and vegetables.
They also have cheek pouches that allow them to transport food back to their burrows or nests without putting it down whenever they need to free their hands.
5. White-Tailed Prairie Dog
5. White-Tailed Prairie Dog
5. White-Tailed Prairie Dog
White-tailed Prairie Dogs sitting on sand | image by USFWS Mountain-Prairie via Flickr | CC BY 2.0
Scientific Name: Cynomys leucurus
Why White-Tailed Prairie Dogs are like squirrels: Both animals have similar appearances and could be mistaken for each other at first glance.
White-tailed Prairie Dogs are the most common species of prairie dogs in North America.
These animals are very similar to squirrels because they both have a long tail that they use for balance when running or jumping.
Both of them also store food for winter and live in underground burrows.
Scientific Name: Marmota monax
Why Groundhogs are like squirrels: Both of them hoard food for the winter season.
Groundhogs are rodents that are closely related to squirrels.
They are native to eastern North America, and their name derives from the fact that they spend the majority of their time on the ground, rather than in trees, as other rodents do.
These creatures primarily consume grasses, weeds, leaves, and berries, but if given the opportunity, they will also consume insects and small animals.
Both groundhogs and squirrels are rodents.
Since both of them are related, they have similar characteristics.
But, aside from their similar appearances, they store food for consumption during the winter.
Groundhogs also eat similar to squirrels, but they are less active and spend most of their time sleeping in their burrows.
Plains Pocket Mice foraging | image by US National Park Service via Wikimedia Commons
Scientific Name: Perognathus flavescens
Why Plains pocket mice are like squirrels: Both the plains pocket mouse and the squirrel have cheek pouches.
The plains pocket mouse is a rodent native to North America.
Both animals also have a unique method of storing food in their cheeks: when a squirrel or pocket mouse is storing food, it will put it in its mouth backward (so that it is upside down), and then move it into its cheek pouch.
Scientific Name: Ondatra zibethicus
Why Muskrats are like squirrels: Both animals live in burrows.
Muskrats are rodents.
They are similar to squirrels in appearance, but they live in water and have a long tail that allows them to swim.
These animals have webbed paws and a thick fur coat.
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Muskrats and squirrels are both rodents that live in burrows.
They are not closely related and have evolved to live in different types of burrows, but they both have the same lifestyle.
Both muskrats and squirrels spend their lives living underground in order to avoid predators.
Short-tailed Shrew foraging | image by Gilles Gonthier via Flickr | CC BY 2.0
Scientific Name: Blarina brevicauda
Why Short-tailed Shrews are like squirrels: They both store food in their burrows and trees for later consumption.
The short-tailed shrew is a small mammal found in North American marshes and forests.
The short-tailed shrew collects dried leaves and other materials to make nests for sleeping or to give birth to offspring.
Both of these animals will gather food and store it in their nests, which is why they are referred to as “hoarders.” A short-tailed shrew carries its food to its nest or burrows in its mouth; a squirrel stores its food for later use in tree cavities or holes near the ground where it lives.
Both animals have acute senses of smell, which aids them in finding food and avoiding predators.
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Squirrels are commonly seen in groups, especially in parks and other green areas, where they can be seen happily munching on nuts.
But have you ever wondered whether these critters are really squirrels or just squirrel-like animals?
Here, we will discuss eleven more common examples of animals misidentified as squirrels.
About Squirrels
About Squirrels
Squirrels are now considered part of the same taxonomic family, the Sciuridae.
Squirrels and all other family members are rodents because they belong to the order Rodentia.
It has been determined that approximately 285 different species of squirrels are living in the world today.
In fact, except for Antarctica, squirrels may be found on every continent.
The family Sciuridae, however, is highly diverse and contains not only tree squirrels but also flying squirrels, ground squirrels, etc.
Animals that Look Like Squirrels
Animals that Look Like Squirrels
One of the most recognizable characteristics of squirrels is their bushy tails, and another is their propensity for hoarding food in tree holes for the winter.
Squirrels come in a variety of colors and patterns and can be found in any region of the world.
Nonetheless, squirrels aren’t the only animals with these qualities.
There are a lot of creatures that resemble squirrels and even share some of their behaviors.
It’s incredible how many different creatures look like squirrels or share other traits with them.
Okay then, let’s learn about 11 other animals that are similar to squirrels.
Chipmunks are the most mistaken animals as squirrels; chipmunks vs.
The appearance of the chipmunk is quite similar to that of the squirrel, and the two animals are sometimes confused for one another.
Chipmunks are easily distinguishable from squirrels due to their unique striped patterns and smaller size.
Squirrels, on the other hand, are covered with fur and have bushy tails.
They are similar in that they both make their homes in trees, where both of them conceal and collect the nuts that have been gathered throughout the warm season, and they both eat the nuts.
If you compare the diet of a chipmunk to that of a squirrel, you’ll see that the chipmunk consumes a broader variety of foods, including berries and tiny insects, whereas the squirrel subsists only on seeds and nuts.
Another example of a squirrel-like animal is the fuzzy groundhog.
Both are considered to be herbivorous rodents and share the same classification.
The groundhog and the squirrel are native to America and share many of the same habitats.
Even though they are from the same family, groundhogs live underground like most other creatures comparable to them.
They achieve this by digging a tunnel in the earth and concealing it so they have somewhere to put all the food they will need to stockpile for the winter.
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Mole is a common name for a group of tiny, hairy mammals that spend most of their lives underground.
They feed on worms, snails, insects, and other small creatures that may be found in the soil, and they dwell in tunnels that they have excavated themselves.
The sand grains that moles collect from the ground in their tunnels are used as a tool to shift the soil around when they are searching for food or building new tunnels.
This is a quality shared by both ground squirrels and moles.
They do this so they may eat it at a later time by storing it in their burrows.
Both squirrels and moles gather nuts, but moles also reserve earthworms that they dig up from deeper into the ground.
4. Short-Tailed Shrews
4. Short-Tailed Shrews
4. Short-Tailed Shrews
The short-tailed shrew is a species of tiny mammal that may be found living in the marshes and woods of North America.
The short-tailed shrew will gather dead leaves and other items to use in the construction of its nest, which it will use either for sleeping or for giving birth.
Short-tailed shrews and squirrels both have short tails.
Both creatures are known as hoarders due to the fact that they collect food and keep it in their nests rather than eating it immediately.
A short-tailed shrew usually carries its food in its mouth to its nest or burrows, whereas a squirrel stores its food for later use in tree cavities or holes near the ground where it lives.
Muskrats, a kind of rodent, look like squirrels but are aquatic and have long tails for propulsion.
Both muskrats and squirrels are burrowing rodents.
Although they are not related and have diverged into various burrow kinds, they share the same way of life.
As a defense mechanism, both muskrats and squirrels spend their entire lives underground.
These small, furry critters are as thin and compact as squirrels.
Also, unlike squirrels, which spend the day foraging in the trees, minks spend the day hunting and prowling.
Minks are carnivores, while squirrels are herbivores; they consume anything from snakes and ducks to fish and, if necessary, even smaller rodents like chipmunks and squirrels.
The raccoon is one of the animals that live in the trees alongside the squirrels.
These two species of rodents coexist at the tops of trees.
Whereas squirrels are active during the day, raccoons are active at night and scavenge throughout the day.
Both of these animals have long tails that facilitate their ability to hop from tree to tree.
In addition, raccoons will search for and steal nuts that have been stored by squirrels.
The average length of a raccoon is nearly twice as long as that of a squirrel, yet despite their larger size, their lifespan is only about half as long at two years.
Hamsters are relatively tiny in size and have short ears and long, hairless tails.
These nocturnal animals spend most of their time resting during the day, but at night, they occasionally go out to investigate their surroundings.
Hamsters are herbivores like squirrels that acquire the majority of their nutrition from various grains and seeds, along with a few fruits and vegetables.
Hamsters are not as big as squirrels.
They are also equipped with cheek pouches, which enable them to carry food back to their burrows or nests without having to set it down anytime they need one of their hands-free.
The river otter and the squirrel have many similarities despite being two very different creatures.
Like squirrels, river otters come in different varieties depending on where you are.
To keep in touch with one another, otters utilize a distinct call, much like squirrels.
The rabbit is another squirrel-like type that forages for food.
Both of the animals are herbivores.
Clovers, wildflowers, and other natural plants in bloom are a favorite food of rabbits.
They do not engage in the practice of food storage, and their offspring can be produced far more rapidly than squirrels.
The hoary marmot is commonly referred to as the “Rocky Mountain squirrel” due to its resemblance to that animal, although being more significant than other rodents of its type.
Similar to humans, hoary marmots enjoy the company of others.
Similarities in appearance between hoary marmots and squirrels can be attributed to their shared ancestry in the rodent family.
Both hoary marmots and gray squirrels have massive, furry bodies, but the hoary marmot’s gray fur is noticeably darker.
They’re both equipped with bushy tails that help them maintain their equilibrium when sprinting over tree branches and ascending trunks.
At any moment, you hear rustling above in the trees, look up, and you might be greeted by the sight of a squirrel searching for fruits and nuts, hot on the trail of another squirrel-like animal, or just simply enjoying a brisk sprint from branch to limb.
There are several species of animals that resemble squirrels, but not all of them are actually squirrels.
So be careful the next time you spot a squirrel; it might just not be one!