Is That a Chipmunk or a Ground Squirrel? - Guest Blog - Think Wild

“Chipmunks have short fur and small, rounded ears. An obvious distinction is that a chipmunk has stripes from head to tail, while [these squirrels] have body stripes... but no head stripes.”

Think Wild - Wildlife Hospital and Conservation Center · 2 years ago

Researchers and naturalists have long been fascinated by their distinct characteristics:

A top-tier desert specialist. If you're hiking in the Southwest, keep an eye out for a "white flash" tail—that's your 5-star desert sprinter.

If you’re looking for a review of the ( Ammospermophilus ), think of it as the high-performance, "off-road" version of your standard backyard chipmunk. Though they look like chipmunks, they are technically ground squirrels . 5/5 stars in the animal kingdom. The Antelope Chipmunk "Review"

These little guys are built for the harsh environments of the American Southwest. They feature a sleek, yellowish-brown or "buffy-clay" coat that blends perfectly with desert sand. The signature "Antelope" flair comes from their white undersides ; when they run, they curl their tails over their backs, showing off the white fur like a miniature Pronghorn antelope.

“The upper parts are dull yellowish-brown or buffy-clay color, as are the outer surfaces of the legs. There is a pale stripe on each side reaching from behind the shoulder to the rump.” - Clark Science Center · 35 years ago