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. Stay tuned to learn more.
Examples of Animals Like Squirrels
1. Alaska Marmot
| Scientific Name | Marmota broweri |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Brooks 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. They are also proficient tree climbers. However, marmots are typically larger than squirrels and have shorter front legs.
2. Allen’s Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Neotamias senex |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | California, 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.
3. Alpine Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias alpinus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | high 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
| Scientific Name | Cynomys ludovicianus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the 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
| Scientific Name | Tamias obscurus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Mexico 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
| Scientific Name | Tamias dorsalis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | United 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. However, they are not as common in urban areas as squirrels are.
7. Colorado Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias quadrivittatus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Colorado, 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
| Scientific Name | Tamias cinereicollis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern Arizona |
The gray-collared chipmunk is a close relative of the squirrel. In fact, they are in the same family. 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
| Scientific Name | Tamias canipes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | New Mexico and in the Sierra Diablo |
The gray-footed chipmunk is a rodent that is found in North America. This creature has many similarities to squirrels, including its size, shape, and coloration. The main difference between the two animals is that the gray-footed chipmunk has stripes on its back, whereas squirrels do not.
10. Gunnison’s Prairie Dog
| Scientific Name | Cynomys gunnisoni |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Arizona 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.
11. Hoary Marmot
| Scientific Name | Marmota caligata |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The hoary marmot is a species of large ground squirrel. These creatures are found in North America and parts of Russia. They get their name from the silver-grey fur that covers their back. Hoary marmots are the largest member of the squirrel family. They can grow to be up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 8 pounds.
12. Hopi Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Neotamias rufus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Colorado, 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.
13. Least Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Neotamias minimus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North 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.
14. Lodgepole Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias speciosus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | 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.
15. Long-Eared Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias quadrimaculatus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | central 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.
16. Merriam’s Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias merriami |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | central 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.
17. Olympic Marmot
| Scientific Name | Marmota olympus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the 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. They also have long hind legs which help them to jump long distances. The main difference between marmots and squirrels is that marmots are much larger. They can weigh up to 9 kg (20 lb).
18. Palmer’s Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias palmeri |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern 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. They also eat nuts and seeds, although they also enjoy eating insects.
19. Panamint Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias panamintinus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southeast 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.
20. Red-Tailed Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Neotamias ruficaudus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alberta 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.
21. Siskiyou Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias siskiyou |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | northern 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.
22. Sonoma Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Tamias sonomae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | 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.
23. Uinta Chipmunk
| Scientific Name | Neotamias umbrinus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | western 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.
24. Utah Prairie Dog
| Scientific Name | Cynomys parvidens |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | United 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.
25. Vancouver Marmot
| Scientific Name | Marmota vancouverensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Vancouver Island |
The Vancouver marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is a species of marmot that is found in the mountainous regions of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. 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.
26. White-Tailed Prairie Dog
| Scientific Name | Cynomys leucurus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | 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. They come out during the day to search for food.
27. Woodchucks
| Scientific Name | Marmota monax |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | eastern 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.
28. Yellow-Bellied Marmot
| Scientific Name | Marmota flaviventris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North 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.
These creatures hibernate during the winter and emerge in the spring. They are brown or reddish-brown in color and have a white or cream-colored belly. Marmots are larger than groundhogs, but they are smaller than beavers.
Conclusion
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.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.