Red Squirrels
Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are native to the UK but that flash of red leaping from branch to branch is now unfortunately a rare site. Grey squirrels were introduced from America in the early 20th century and quickly outcompeted the reds for food. They also carry the squirrelpox virus which they are immune to, but which is fatal to the reds. This has led to one of the most drastic declines in all UK mammals. The main difference between the two is the colour, but greys don’t have the cute tufted ears and are significantly larger weighing around 540g compared with just red squirrels at 300g.
We are lucky to have red squirrels in our catchment here in the Lake District, they can also be found in Scotland, pockets in northern England and Wales and some islands off the south coast.
Did you know?
Red squirrels can jump more than 2 metres
Red squirrels need mixed broadleaf, coniferous and mixed woodland to survive, they feast on seeds and nuts with pine seeds and hazel nuts a particular tea-time favourite. Before mating, males follow the females in a prolonged chase through the trees. The young are born in a nest called a ‘drey’. Dreys are found high up in the trees and made from twigs, lined with moss, leaves and strips of bark from high up in the tree canopy. Females will have up to six young, born in the spring who will begin foraging for their own food at around 10 weeks old.
