Red Squirrel
ExploreMammals
Red Squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Red squirrels are small, lively rodents with reddish fur. They are quick climbers and love eating seeds.
Habitat: Conifer forests and woodlands.
Appearance
The Red Squirrel has a vibrant reddish-brown coat that can vary from bright ginger to dark chestnut, with a creamy-white belly. Unlike the larger Grey Squirrel, it lacks white fur on its tail and often grows distinctive ear tufts, especially in winter. Its bright, bushy tail is nearly as long as its body.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilySciuridaeGenusSciurus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
17
Interesting facts
A Red Squirrel can leap over 2 meters between branches, showing off its incredible agility!
Red Squirrels don't hibernate; they just take long naps and rely on their buried food stashes.
Their ear tufts can grow several centimeters long, making them look extra fancy in winter!
These squirrels can recognize their own buried food by smell, even if other squirrels have touched it.
Special abilities
Ability
Super Sniffer
Red Squirrels can smell buried nuts and seeds even under snow, helping them find hidden winter food stashes.
Ability
Acrobatic Climber
Red Squirrels have sharp claws and flexible ankles that let them quickly climb up and down trees, even headfirst!
Ability
Food Planter
Red Squirrels bury seeds and nuts, helping new trees grow in their forests by forgetting some of their hidden treasures.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 19-28 cm
- Weight
- 0.25-0.35 kg
- Lifespan
- 3-7 years
- Top Speed
- 25 km/h
- Litter Size
- 3-5
- Gestation
- 38-39 days
Diet & Feeding
Red Squirrels mostly munch on seeds, nuts, and fungi, but sometimes enjoy a tasty insect.
Primary Foods
- conifer seeds
- hazelnuts
- acorns
- mushrooms
- tree bark
- bird eggs
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Pine Marten
Martes martes
A natural predator, hunting squirrels in the forest canopy.
eaten by
Northern Goshawk
Accipiter gentilis
A powerful bird of prey that can snatch squirrels from trees.
eats
English Oak
Quercus robur
Squirrels rely on acorns from oak trees as a vital food source.
eats
Norway Spruce
Picea abies
They extract seeds from cones of spruce trees, especially in coniferous habitats.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Eurasian Red SquirrelEuropean Red Squirrel
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not feed squirrels — they can bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Red Squirrel?
19-28 cm
How much does Red Squirrel weigh?
0.25-0.35 kg
How long does Red Squirrel live?
3-7 years
How fast can Red Squirrel move?
25 km/h
What does Red Squirrel eat?
Red Squirrels mostly munch on seeds, nuts, and fungi, but sometimes enjoy a tasty insect.
Where is Red Squirrel usually found?
Conifer forests and woodlands.
How does Red Squirrel hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Red Squirrel usually have?
3-5
Snap Map
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