Red Squirrel

The Red Squirrel lives in woodland areas, and builds a large nest (called a drey) which is often situated in the fork of a tree trunk. Red Squirrels are usually very solitary animals, and only come together for mating. But in cold, winter months they will happily share dreys to keep warm.

Red Squirrels are usually found to have russet red fur, but sometimes the coat colour can vary and so cause some reds to appear very grey. They are small, and have ear tuffs (larger in the winter) with stripes across them. There is little difference between female and male squirrels.

As for breeding, Red Squirrels produce young, called kittens, in the spring and may reproduce for a second time in the summer if conditions are right. Females will usually have from 2 to 3 kittens per litter, but it can be up to 6 young. They are born very quickly after mating, in a mere 45 to 48 days.

The Red Squirrel is a seed eater. It prefers to eat pine cones, but will also eat larch and spruce. Also, their diet includes fungi, shoots and fruits of shrubs and trees. Occasionally they will also eat birds’ eggs. Interestingly, they choose between “good and bad” nuts by holding them in their paws. The red squirrels do not hibernate, and instead they store fungi in trees so that they can eat it over the winter. If there is a lot of food around, they will also put on weight in the autumn to help them survive in the winter. This is especially important for breeding females, so that they are in good condition for producing young.

The Red Squirrel currently inhabits many countries, but is endangered in the United Kingdom. The Red Squirrel is indigenous to the UK, although unfortunately the American grey squirrel has populated the country and carries the deadly squirrel poxvirus. This is untreatable and causes deaths among many Red Squirrels. Other causes are road kill, cats (if they stray into gardens in search of food) and birds of prey which hunt them.

_{Sourced from Forestry Commission}