Red Squirrel

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Mammal 🐿️
🐿️
Red Squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Size
19–23 cm body (tail: 15–20 cm)Noticeably smaller than a Grey Squirrel
Weight
250–340 gAbout the weight of a large pear
Lifespan
3–7 years
Rarity
Rare
M vs F
Sexes look identical; both develop prominent ear tufts in winter
Habitat
Coniferous forest, native woodland; strongholds in Scotland, Northumberland, and Isle of Wight
Best time
Year-round; most visible in autumn when foraging intensifies
Conservation
UK: Red LC
💡 Did you know?
Red Squirrels have largely vanished from England due to competition and squirrelpox disease spread by introduced Grey Squirrels — which are immune to the virus themselves
They cannot digest acorns efficiently — unlike Grey Squirrels — which partly explains their displacement; they depend on conifer seeds (especially Scots Pine) and hazelnuts
Often confused with
Grey Squirrel (larger grey no ear tufts wider distribution)
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