Chipmunks in Vermont: identification guide and where to start looking
Chipmunks are common across Vermont, especially in wooded areas and near stone walls. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the only species you will find here, and it is highly identifiable by its distinctive five dark stripes running down its back separated by white or cream bands. Look for small, quick movements near the ground in spring and summer, and start your search in state parks like Mount Mansfield or your own backyard during warm, sunny mornings when chipmunks are most active gathering food. Their small size (about 5 to 6 inches), bushy tail, and white belly make them easy to distinguish from larger red squirrels, which lack the facial stripes and distinctive back pattern.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 26, 2026.
- 6
- species recorded
- April, May, June
- peak months
Lookalikes, source iNaturalist
How to tell a chipmunk from its lookalikes in Vermont
Only one species of chipmunk lives in Vermont, so the real question is telling it apart from its relatives. 6 other members of the squirrel family have a verified observation record here, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The ones you are most likely to confuse it with are American Red Squirrel, Eastern Gray Squirrel and Eastern Chipmunk. Compare them below, ranked by how often each is recorded.
Records from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Diet, source GloBI
What chipmunks eat
Recorded prey and food of the chipmunk, from the Global Biotic Interactions database, limited to species that occur in the United States. This is what chipmunks have actually been observed eating, not a list for any one place.
- American jumpseed
- beaked hazelnut
- Carolina Grasshopper
- Common Blue Mud-dauber Wasp
- Cornflower
- eastern black walnut
- Eastern Teaberry
- Maize
- mapleleaf viburnum
- Northern highbush blueberry
- Peanut
- red raspberry
- Scissor Grinder
- Siberian crabapple
Feeding records from the Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI) database. Common names resolved from iNaturalist.
Real sighting data, source iNaturalist
10,546 verified observations on iNaturalist of chipmunk have been recorded in Vermont, most often in April, May, June.
When chipmunk are recorded in Vermont
Chipmunks are common across Vermont, especially in wooded areas and near stone walls. The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is the only species you will find here, and it is highly identifiable by its distinctive five dark stripes running down its back separated by white or cream bands. Look for small, quick movements near the ground in spring and summer, and start your search in state parks like Mount Mansfield or your own backyard during warm, sunny mornings when chipmunks are most active gathering food. Their small size (about 5 to 6 inches), bushy tail, and white belly make them easy to distinguish from larger red squirrels, which lack the facial stripes and distinctive back pattern.
What are the key identification features of chipmunks in Vermont?
The eastern chipmunk is small, about 5 to 6 inches long, with a bushy tail about half its body length. Its most useful ID markers are five dark stripes running down its back (one centered, two on each side) separated by white or cream bands. It has reddish-brown sides, a white belly, and large cheek pouches for carrying food. The most likely lookalike is the red squirrel, but red squirrels are larger, lack the distinct facial stripes, and have a more reddish overall color. For more on chipmunk traits, see ourchipmunk species overview.
In Vermont, chipmunks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where in Vermont are chipmunks most commonly seen?
Chipmunks are found throughout Vermont, from the Green Mountains to the Lake Champlain basin. They prefer deciduous or mixed forests with plenty of undergrowth, especially near stone walls, rocky outcrops, and log piles. They are also common in suburban yards and gardens. For other Vermont wildlife viewing opportunities, check out ourVermont wildlife page.
Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around where in the state people usually notice them first, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in Vermont. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
What is the best time of year to spot chipmunks in Vermont?
Your best odds are from mid-April through October, with peak activity on warm, sunny mornings between 6 and 10 AM. Chipmunks are most visible in spring and early summer when they are gathering food and caching acorns. They become less active in late summer and early fall as they prepare for winter, and they hibernate from November to March, so sightings are unlikely then.
What signs indicate chipmunk activity?
Look for small burrow openings near rocks or tree roots, often about 2 inches in diameter. You may also hear their sharp, birdlike chirps or a repeated 'chip-chip' call. Piles of empty nutshells or acorn shells near stumps are good indicators. For a detailed guide on identifying these signs, visit ourchipmunk identification page.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How can you plan a chipmunk watching trip in Vermont?
Pick a state park with varied habitats, such as Mount Mansfield or Camel's Hump. Go early in the morning, bring binoculars, and sit quietly near stone walls or woodpiles. Use this travel tool to find accommodations and trails:
What chipmunk-themed gear can help show off your sightings?
If you want to celebrate your chipmunk sightings, consider these items from Easy Street Markets:
Chipmunk Quote T-Shirt
A comfortable tee featuring a playful chipmunk quote, perfect for your next woodland walk.Check Price and Availability
Waterproof Vinyl Chipmunk Sticker
A durable sticker to decorate your gear with a cute chipmunk design.Check Price and Availability
Chipmunk T-Shirt
A classic shirt with a chipmunk graphic, ideal for casual wear or gift-giving.Check Price and Availability
Browse morewildlife shirts at Easy Street Markets.
How can you tell a chipmunk from a red squirrel?
Chipmunks are smaller (about 5 inches) compared to red squirrels (7 to 8 inches). Chipmunks have five dark back stripes with white borders, while red squirrels have a redder coat with no facial stripes. Chipmunks also have a white belly and a more rounded back, whereas red squirrels are uniform in color and often have a twitching tail.
Do chipmunks hibernate in Vermont during winter?
Yes, eastern chipmunks hibernate from November to March. They retreat to underground burrows where they wake periodically to eat stored food. During warm spells in late winter, they may emerge briefly, but consistent sightings resume in April.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
How do you identify a chipmunk's burrow from other small animal holes?
Chipmunk burrows are typically 1 to 2 inches in diameter and often found at the base of trees, near rock formations, or along the edges of logs. Unlike mole tunnels, which create visible ridges and mounds of soil, chipmunk burrows are usually a simple, clean hole with minimal soil disturbance around the entrance. Look for a small pile of excavated dirt near the opening, and note that chipmunks often create multiple entrance and exit holes for quick escapes. Ground squirrels and voles create similar-sized holes, but chipmunk holes are often positioned near cover like roots or rocks where the animal can dart to safety quickly. In Vermont, checking these burrows in spring and early summer gives you the best chance of spotting the occupant nearby.
What is the difference between a chipmunk's tail and a squirrel's tail?
A chipmunk's tail is bushy but held low and relatively flat, about half the length of its body (3 inches on average). It serves mainly as a balance aid and lacks the pronounced fluffiness of a red squirrel's tail. Red squirrel tails are much larger, bushier, and held upright or curled over the back, creating a distinctive silhouette. Eastern chipmunk tails also have less dramatic coloring, often matching the body with subtle striping, whereas red squirrel tails are uniformly rusty red or orange. When you see movement in leaf litter, a low, thin tail is a strong sign of a chipmunk, while an upright, fluffy tail signals a squirrel. Learning this tail difference is one of the fastest ways to distinguish the two species at a distance in Vermont forests.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key identification features of chipmunks in Vermont?+
The eastern chipmunk is small, about 5 to 6 inches long, with a bushy tail about half its body length. Its most useful ID markers are five dark stripes running down its back (one centered, two on each side) separated by white or cream bands. It has reddish-brown sides, a white belly, and large cheek pouches for carrying food. The most likely lookalike is the red squirrel, but red squirrels are larger, lack the distinct facial stripes, and have a more reddish overall color. For more on chipmunk traits, see ourchipmunk species overview. In Vermont, chipmunks sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
Where in Vermont are chipmunks most commonly seen?+
Chipmunks are found throughout Vermont, from the Green Mountains to the Lake Champlain basin. They prefer deciduous or mixed forests with plenty of undergrowth, especially near stone walls, rocky outcrops, and log piles. They are also common in suburban yards and gardens. For other Vermont wildlife viewing opportunities, check out ourVermont wildlife page. Most misses happen when people arrive at the wrong hour or expect nonstop activity. Build around where in the state people usually notice them first, keep one backup area in mind, and use theanimal facts pageplustour planning ideasto compare what a realistic outing looks like in Vermont. If movement slows, stay longer at one promising spot, listen for calls or watch for edge movement, and reset around weather, light, water, or feeding changes instead of jumping to a totally new area too early.
What is the best time of year to spot chipmunks in Vermont?+
Your best odds are from mid-April through October, with peak activity on warm, sunny mornings between 6 and 10 AM. Chipmunks are most visible in spring and early summer when they are gathering food and caching acorns. They become less active in late summer and early fall as they prepare for winter, and they hibernate from November to March, so sightings are unlikely then.
What signs indicate chipmunk activity?+
Look for small burrow openings near rocks or tree roots, often about 2 inches in diameter. You may also hear their sharp, birdlike chirps or a repeated 'chip-chip' call. Piles of empty nutshells or acorn shells near stumps are good indicators. For a detailed guide on identifying these signs, visit ourchipmunk identification page. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
How can you plan a chipmunk watching trip in Vermont?+
Pick a state park with varied habitats, such as Mount Mansfield or Camel's Hump. Go early in the morning, bring binoculars, and sit quietly near stone walls or woodpiles. Use this travel tool to find accommodations and trails:
What chipmunk-themed gear can help show off your sightings?+
If you want to celebrate your chipmunk sightings, consider these items from Easy Street Markets: ### Chipmunk Quote T-Shirt A comfortable tee featuring a playful chipmunk quote, perfect for your next woodland walk.Check Price and Availability ### Waterproof Vinyl Chipmunk Sticker A durable sticker to decorate your gear with a cute chipmunk design.Check Price and Availability ### Chipmunk T-Shirt A classic shirt with a chipmunk graphic, ideal for casual wear or gift-giving.Check Price and Availability Browse morewildlife shirts at Easy Street Markets.
How can you tell a chipmunk from a red squirrel?+
Chipmunks are smaller (about 5 inches) compared to red squirrels (7 to 8 inches). Chipmunks have five dark back stripes with white borders, while red squirrels have a redder coat with no facial stripes. Chipmunks also have a white belly and a more rounded back, whereas red squirrels are uniform in color and often have a twitching tail.
Do chipmunks hibernate in Vermont during winter?+
Yes, eastern chipmunks hibernate from November to March. They retreat to underground burrows where they wake periodically to eat stored food. During warm spells in late winter, they may emerge briefly, but consistent sightings resume in April. See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
How do you identify a chipmunk's burrow from other small animal holes?+
Chipmunk burrows are typically 1 to 2 inches in diameter and often found at the base of trees, near rock formations, or along the edges of logs. Unlike mole tunnels, which create visible ridges and mounds of soil, chipmunk burrows are usually a simple, clean hole with minimal soil disturbance around the entrance. Look for a small pile of excavated dirt near the opening, and note that chipmunks often create multiple entrance and exit holes for quick escapes. Ground squirrels and voles create similar-sized holes, but chipmunk holes are often positioned near cover like roots or rocks where the animal can dart to safety quickly. In Vermont, checking these burrows in spring and early summer gives you the best chance of spotting the occupant nearby.
What is the difference between a chipmunk's tail and a squirrel's tail?+
A chipmunk's tail is bushy but held low and relatively flat, about half the length of its body (3 inches on average). It serves mainly as a balance aid and lacks the pronounced fluffiness of a red squirrel's tail. Red squirrel tails are much larger, bushier, and held upright or curled over the back, creating a distinctive silhouette. Eastern chipmunk tails also have less dramatic coloring, often matching the body with subtle striping, whereas red squirrel tails are uniformly rusty red or orange. When you see movement in leaf litter, a low, thin tail is a strong sign of a chipmunk, while an upright, fluffy tail signals a squirrel. Learning this tail difference is one of the fastest ways to distinguish the two species at a distance in Vermont forests.
Keep exploring
More places to see chipmunk
More wildlife in Vermont