Eurasian Red Squirrel

These squirrels prefer to nest in the cavities of coniferous and deciduous trees, but can also be found in parks, urban areas and lowland to subalpine mixed forests. In scattering and burying hoarded food such as seeds, acorns and fungi as a winter store, they aid the reforestation process. They can also feed on bark which they strip off trees, meaning some consider them a forestry pest. Despite their name, Eurasian red squirrels have more variation in coat colour than most other mammals in the Palearctic region, from bright orange to dark brown with grey tinges.

Natural predation by birds and mammals means the death rate is high in young Eurasian red squirrels. In the UK, red squirrels have been out-competed by the introduced grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinesis, which can carry a virus which is fatal to red squirrels. Grey squirrels are also becoming established across Europe throughout the red squirrels’ range, presenting a greater threat for the future. In urban areas, road accidents are a notable cause of squirrel deaths, and they are used in the fur and pet trade.

In Britain, grey squirrel management is a key part of protecting red squirrels, as this leaves more food and nesting sites available to red squirrels. Studies have been done into the gut bacteria of squirrels and the impact this can have on their diet and health. Areas with established populations have translocated red squirrels to set up new populations across the UK. Nature’s SAFE stores samples to allow for future regeneration of these important native mammals.