 |
|
|
Shop pages
▼
|
|
|
|
Info pages
▼
|
|
|
|
Educational Discounts
▼
|
|
|
|
|
Squirrels
|
|
|
|
|
The Red squirrel is the UKs native squirrel, the Grey squirrel was introduced from America in the nineteenth century. They bred rapidly and by 1938 it became illegal to release any more greys. It is uncertain if the greys drove out the reds or whether they were already declining and the greys just took over their habitats. Once the greys had taken over their territory, the reds had little chance of retaking their woods. It is therefore important that the red squirrel is protected in those areas where they still remain- Mostly Scotland and northern England.
|
|
|
|
Important points
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are estimated to be only 160,000 red squirrels left in Britain, with over 2.5 million greys.
|
|
|
|
|
If squirrels are eating all the food put out for the birds provide squirrel proof feeders and use squirrel feeders for squirrels especially reds.
|
|
|
|
|
Don’t encourage grey squirrels if Red squirrels are also present in your area, only feed the reds using special feeders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Grey Squirrel (Scuirus carolinensis)
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Head & body 25-30cm, tail up to 25cm
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food:- Grey squirrels can kill trees by stripping the bark for food, but they mainly eat nuts, acorns, roots, bulbs, insects, small birds and their eggs. If they become a problem in your garden, feeding from birdfeeders, then provide them with their own feeder and food. Maize, peanuts and sunflower seeds are favourites.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Habitat:- Common in woodland, parks and gardens in England and Wales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For more information about squirrels please visit:-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Should grey squirrels be culled to save the reds? Visit:-
|
|
|
|
Wildforms, Keepers Cottage, Glenstockadale, Leswalt, Stranraer, Wigtownshire, DG9 0LU
email: pete@wildforms.co.uk Telephone: 01776 870453
|
|
