Red Squirrels

The Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) was once Britain's only wild Squirrel. Then a common sight across the country, it is now confined increasingly to offshore islands, such as the Isle of Wight, Brownsea Island (in Poole Harbour) and Anglesey. There are also populations in pine forests and plantations, mostly in the west of England and in Scotland.
The main cause of this dramatic decline was the release of the Grey Squirrel in the 19th century. In North America, Grey Squirrels co-evolved with other species of Squirrels. The forests there are far richer in tree species (and their nuts/cones), so natural selection has prepared North American Squirrel species for competition, whereas our Red Squirrel has no evolutionary experience or competitive adaptations to rely on. The Red Squirrel evolved in the Great Forest with predators such as the Pine Marten. Neither creature would be here today without the influence of the other over tens of thousands of years.

Red Squirrels live in trees, whereas Grey Squirrels spend more time foraging on the ground. Reds are also lighter than Greys and so are able to use smaller branches to escape from their predators. They can leap up to six metres from tree to tree. Like many rodents, Squirrels 'cache' food for use over the Winter months. In Britain, contrary to popular belief, Red Squirrels do not hibernate, but slow down their metabolism and stay indoors on extra-cold days.

Red Squirrels are not always red and can vary greatly in coat colour, with some individuals being black, brown, cream or even having white tails. They use their tails as 'cloaks' to keep warm in Winter and to shade themselves from the sun in Summer.  Their Summer and Winter coats are distinct. In Summer they have a coarse short coat and the hairs of both the tail and ear tufts can be bleached a creamy-white colour. Their Winter coat is thicker and darker.  Grey Squirrels often have russet tones, thus there is some scope for confusion between the two species. They are much larger, better adapted to broadleaved woodland, are more aggressive and carry diseases. This has forced Red Squirrels to retreat further and further into coniferous woodlands (into which Greys are now increasingly spreading), such that their extinction in Britain is now a real possibility. At the current rate, the Red Squirrel could be a memory in the wild in Britain within 20 years. Active protection and the management of these populations is essential.

The PCT works closely with the East Anglia Red Squirrel Breeding Programme and sends surplus animals to Anglesey each year, where they are released into the wild as part of a co-ordinated effort to reinforce the declining local population. More information on the Anglesey Red Squirrel release programme is available here.

A captive breeding facility and three new Red Squirrel enclosures have been built at Pensthorpe, with overhead runs, allowing more natural behaviour patterns which, in turn will make the transition to the release site at Anglesey less stressful.

The new enclosures will have particular benefits during the breeding season. In 2009 the breeding pair at Pensthorpe had two litters and a total of thirteen kittens were born. An additional, separate enclosure will give flexibility in managing the red squirrels in the longer term. The enclosure will be used for breeding and as temporary housing for juveniles who are being pushed out by their mother.

Adopt a Red Squirrel

Why not make a real difference and adopt a Red Squirrel for a year? You will be helping to continue with vital work with these endangered and vulnerable species. More information and an application form are available here.