European Red Squirrel

Description:

Medium sized squirrel with diagnostic 'foxy' red coat and pale belly. Ear tufts and brush tail. These images taken in northern Scotland in late summer.

Habitat:

Mainly prefers coniferous woodland and favour pine cones although will also eat other nuts, seeds and fruits as well as fungi. Not so keen on acorns unlike Grey Squirrels.

Notes:

Have become increasingly rare in Britain following introduction of Grey Squirrels. The population densities of reds are far less than that of greys with figures showing up to 8 Grey Squirrels per ha of broad leaved woodland against only 1 Red, and down to 0.1 per ha of coniferous forest. Ref: Forestry Commission UK.