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The Red Squirrel - Sciurus vulgaris
The red squirrel is native to Britain and there are estimated to only 140,000 left in Britain, compared to 2.5 million grey squirrels. Grey squirrels were introduced from America. The Forestry Commission is "working with partners in projects across Britain to develop a long-term conservation strategy that deters greys and encourages reds."
Courtesy of Toivo Toivanen & Tiina Toppila ©
“Save our Squirrels is hard at work in one of the last strongholds of this endearing creature.
It aims to reverse the trend and put red squirrels back where they should be.
Please join me as a Friend of the Red Squirrel and do everything you can to help.”
David Bellamy
If you’re interested in learning more about the red squirrel, why not visit the Squirrelweb website?
Red Squirrel Fun Fact - The red squirrel is an excellent swimmer.
Red squirrels build large nests (dreys) in the forks of tree trunks. Red squirrels are usually solitary, and only come together to mate. They will range widely searching for a mate. They are quite sociable creatures when they meet each other, and will often share dreys during wintertime to keep warm.
The young squirrels, called kittens, are born in the spring. A pair of red squirrels may produce a second litter of the weather and their food source is good.
The females usually has two to three kittens but may give birth to up to six young. The female brings up the young and she is highly protective of her brood. Between twenty and fifty per cent of kittens may survive to adulthood.
Red squirrels are seed eaters. Their diet includes pine cones, their favourite, larch and spruce. They may also eat fruits and berries of shrubs and trees, fungi, and sometimes birds' eggs. As it does not hibernate, the red squirrel will store fungi in trees to eat over the winter months.
When food is abundant, they put on weight in the autumn to help them through the winter. This is important for a breeding female and her future young.
The main threat to the survival of the red squirrel is the increasing number of grey squirrels, disease, and traffic. The grey squirrel is larger than the red, not so fussy about its food and is more aggressive. The main predators of the red squirrel are the golden eagle, goshawk and pine marten. Domestic cats may also attack and devour a red squirrel.
The red squirrel is very shy and elusive, and spends much of its time in the relative safety of the tree canopy. You may hear the "chuk chuk" of the red squirrel from the trees above, as the only indication of their presence. You may be able to see scratch marks on tree bark and chewed pine cones scattered around.
