We’re Seeing Red!
Fall has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere and that means many animals are starting to hoard or cache food for the winter! Today we are heading to Europe to meet a small rodent who hoards food for the winter! Let’s go meet the red squirrel!
Range/Habitat: Northern Europe- Asia
Diet: Omnivore: seeds, nuts, fungus and bird eggs
Length/Weight: 5-8 inches/ 9-12 oz
Conservation Status: least concern
Fun Facts:
- Red squirrels coloration depends on where they are located. They can go from red to black.
- Red squirrels can swim.
- They are crepuscular.
- Red squirrels molt their fur generally twice a year.
- Red squirrels do not hibernate.
- They store caches of food for when supplies might be low in the winter. What seed caches are forgotten help plant new trees.
- Red squirrels are more arboreal.
- They spend most of their waking days foraging for food.
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 
Red Squirrels are pretty rare in the UK. The grey squirrel bought in from North America carry a virus that is deadly to the red ones. I would love to see one in the wild. The National Trust own some land in Formby Lancashire where the red’s are protected, been several times but still haven’t seen one!
We knew they were in trouble in the UK. Invasive species can be a real problem!