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TextSquirrel and Chipmunks - Wildlife
Appearance
Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger vulpinus) are 18 to 25 inches long (nose to tail) and weigh 1 to 3 lbs. Body color is gray with slight color variation and light underbelly, and large bushy grayish-white tail. Fox squirrels are larger than gray squirrels.
Gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis pennsylvanicus) are 12 to 21 inches long (nose to tail) and weigh 1 to 1.5 lbs. Body color ranges from grayish to yellow-brown with light underbelly, chin and hind legs, and bushy white-edged tail.
Fisher's eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus fisheri) are 8 to 10 inches long (nose to tail) and weigh 2 to 4.5 ounces. Body color ranges from reddish-brown to reddish-yellow with distinct facial stripe and prominent longitudinal black, white and wide gray stripes.
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| Fox Squirrel | Gray Squirrel | Eastern Chipmunk |
Behavior
Squirrels have 1 to 2 litters a year and 2 to 4 young per litter. Squirrels are diurnal with peak activity at dawn and late afternoon.
Squirrels do not hibernate but will become inactive during extreme winter weather using leaf nests and tree cavities for protection. Squirrels dig shallow holes to store nuts (up to 1000 a year) and other foods for winter food. Squirrels will establish themselves in new trees when the local food supply is exhausted.
Chipmunks have 1 to 2 litters a year and 4 to 5 young per litter. Chipmunks hibernate in underground burrows from November to February. Chipmunks store food to eat during winter hibernation. Chipmunks are diurnal with peak activity mid-morning and afternoon.
Diet
Squirrels are primarily herbivores. A modified diet can include nuts, seeds, fruits, plants, insects, eggs and baby birds.
Chipmunks are primarily herbivores. A modified diet can include nuts, seeds, fruits, plants and insects.
Habitat
Squirrels and chipmunks inhabit dense forest, open woodlands and grasslands, rural, suburban and urban areas of Fairfax County.
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