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TranslateSciurus vulgaris (Red Squirrel)
Sciurus vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1755) The Eurasian Red Squirrel.
Family: Sciuridae.
Length: 18 to 24cm (Excluding tail, which can grow as long as 17 to 18cm)
Adult weight: 250 to 350g. Lifespan: Up to approx. 6 years.
The Red Squirrel is found across most of Europe and Siberia. Over a 100 years ago, millions of Red Squirrels once populated Europe. Now unfortunately their numbers have been drastically reduced.
In Northern Europe and Siberia, Red Squirrels prefer coniferous woods, favourites being Scots Pine, Siberian Pine and Norway Spruce. Although most broad-leaved woodlands are more suitable for a more balanced diet, it has been increasingly difficult for the Red Squirrel to live in these woodlands, mainly because of the competition from the much larger Grey Squirrel. Only in a small minority of original woodlands they are able to survive, maybe this is due to the Grey Squirrel numbers, being controlled.
The Red Squirrel’s coat and tail varies, from various shades of red, reddish-brown to black; undersides of the squirrel’s fur are usually pale cream to almost white. Fully matured adults will also be seen with tufts of fur erect on the ears which tend to moult, certain times of the year. Entirely Black (melanism) and White (albino) varieties, of “Red Squirrels” are rare, but do occasionally, occur.
Habitat: Seen in ….Parks, woodlands, heathlands, gardens, pine forests - they create dreys (nests) of interwoven twigs, lined inside with soft materials such as moss, leaves, grass and fir.
Natural diet includes: Leaves, various vegetation, seeds, nuts, many types of fruit, fungi, occasionally bird eggs and young birds.
The Red squirrel has very sharp claws and strong hind legs, helping it to climb and descend in sudden speed, up thin branches and vertical tree trunks, also enabling it to climb brick walls. The Red Squirrel is also a good swimmer.
The survival of the Red Squirrel across Europe, is constantly threatened, mainly due to competition and the transmission of diseases (Squirrel pox). This disease has been fatal to many Red Squirrels transmitted by the larger Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). The other main threat being loss of many natural woodland habitats, due to human needs. The Red Squirrel’s predators being, large birds of prey, including owls; a stoat will also kill a squirrel for food. Killing for sport (In countries not protected), domestic pets such as cats and dogs. Road fatalities also claim many Red Squirrels throughout the year.
Squirrels do not hibernate, even in the colder northern countries of Europe; but will be less active throughout the winter months. They will mainly rely on the food reserves; they have managed to hide away in the autumn months. In the very cold months will spend many hours wrapped up in a large leafy and stick structured nest (called a “Drey” this is usually lined with moss, leaves, fur and grass), constructed high in the branches of a tree. By wrapping its large tail around its body, this will give the squirrel the extra warmth needed to survive. (The tail is also used for balance and steering, when running along and jumping, between the branches of trees). Many fatalities of young squirrels happen in their first winter in the colder northern countries, which can be as many as 80% fatalities. This is through the cold temperatures and starvation due to lack of food reserves. After going through its first winter survival, the squirrel’s chances of surviving through its second winter improve to more than a 50% chance. Here in Southern Spain, (near the coast at Alicante) the winter weather being mild compared to most other European countries, so obviously the fatality rate being much lower, in the cold winter months.
Breeding: Usually a female adult has two litters a year, mating’s take place in the late months of winter and early summer, which produces a litter in March, then another litter can occur July/August. The gestation (pregnancy) lasts for 38 to 39 days, each litter averages three kittens. Just the mother squirrel will care for the young, which are born blind and deaf, weighing between 10 to 15g.
After 21 days the young will be covered by hair and the eyes start to open, their hearing begins to develop after another 7 days. The following 14 days the teeth will have formed and the kittens will leave the nest on their own to find food, but will continue to suckle from the mother until weaning occurs between 8 to 10 weeks of age.
“Here in Southern Spain a public park is where I photographed this young Red Squirrel, he/she was happy to feed on the leaves of various trees. No doubt will also take the food offered from people who visit the park. I hasten to add, I did not attempt to feed the squirrels, because I wanted images showing as much as possible, the Red Squirrels natural behaviour and mannerisms”.
The Red Squirrel is protected in most of Europe, however in some countries it is abundant in numbers and hunted for its fur.
Read MoreFamily: Sciuridae.
Length: 18 to 24cm (Excluding tail, which can grow as long as 17 to 18cm)
Adult weight: 250 to 350g. Lifespan: Up to approx. 6 years.
The Red Squirrel is found across most of Europe and Siberia. Over a 100 years ago, millions of Red Squirrels once populated Europe. Now unfortunately their numbers have been drastically reduced.
In Northern Europe and Siberia, Red Squirrels prefer coniferous woods, favourites being Scots Pine, Siberian Pine and Norway Spruce. Although most broad-leaved woodlands are more suitable for a more balanced diet, it has been increasingly difficult for the Red Squirrel to live in these woodlands, mainly because of the competition from the much larger Grey Squirrel. Only in a small minority of original woodlands they are able to survive, maybe this is due to the Grey Squirrel numbers, being controlled.
The Red Squirrel’s coat and tail varies, from various shades of red, reddish-brown to black; undersides of the squirrel’s fur are usually pale cream to almost white. Fully matured adults will also be seen with tufts of fur erect on the ears which tend to moult, certain times of the year. Entirely Black (melanism) and White (albino) varieties, of “Red Squirrels” are rare, but do occasionally, occur.
Habitat: Seen in ….Parks, woodlands, heathlands, gardens, pine forests - they create dreys (nests) of interwoven twigs, lined inside with soft materials such as moss, leaves, grass and fir.
Natural diet includes: Leaves, various vegetation, seeds, nuts, many types of fruit, fungi, occasionally bird eggs and young birds.
The Red squirrel has very sharp claws and strong hind legs, helping it to climb and descend in sudden speed, up thin branches and vertical tree trunks, also enabling it to climb brick walls. The Red Squirrel is also a good swimmer.
The survival of the Red Squirrel across Europe, is constantly threatened, mainly due to competition and the transmission of diseases (Squirrel pox). This disease has been fatal to many Red Squirrels transmitted by the larger Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). The other main threat being loss of many natural woodland habitats, due to human needs. The Red Squirrel’s predators being, large birds of prey, including owls; a stoat will also kill a squirrel for food. Killing for sport (In countries not protected), domestic pets such as cats and dogs. Road fatalities also claim many Red Squirrels throughout the year.
Squirrels do not hibernate, even in the colder northern countries of Europe; but will be less active throughout the winter months. They will mainly rely on the food reserves; they have managed to hide away in the autumn months. In the very cold months will spend many hours wrapped up in a large leafy and stick structured nest (called a “Drey” this is usually lined with moss, leaves, fur and grass), constructed high in the branches of a tree. By wrapping its large tail around its body, this will give the squirrel the extra warmth needed to survive. (The tail is also used for balance and steering, when running along and jumping, between the branches of trees). Many fatalities of young squirrels happen in their first winter in the colder northern countries, which can be as many as 80% fatalities. This is through the cold temperatures and starvation due to lack of food reserves. After going through its first winter survival, the squirrel’s chances of surviving through its second winter improve to more than a 50% chance. Here in Southern Spain, (near the coast at Alicante) the winter weather being mild compared to most other European countries, so obviously the fatality rate being much lower, in the cold winter months.
Breeding: Usually a female adult has two litters a year, mating’s take place in the late months of winter and early summer, which produces a litter in March, then another litter can occur July/August. The gestation (pregnancy) lasts for 38 to 39 days, each litter averages three kittens. Just the mother squirrel will care for the young, which are born blind and deaf, weighing between 10 to 15g.
After 21 days the young will be covered by hair and the eyes start to open, their hearing begins to develop after another 7 days. The following 14 days the teeth will have formed and the kittens will leave the nest on their own to find food, but will continue to suckle from the mother until weaning occurs between 8 to 10 weeks of age.
“Here in Southern Spain a public park is where I photographed this young Red Squirrel, he/she was happy to feed on the leaves of various trees. No doubt will also take the food offered from people who visit the park. I hasten to add, I did not attempt to feed the squirrels, because I wanted images showing as much as possible, the Red Squirrels natural behaviour and mannerisms”.
The Red Squirrel is protected in most of Europe, however in some countries it is abundant in numbers and hunted for its fur.
