Home › Mammalia › Sciuridae › Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
SPECIES PROFILE
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
Sciurus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Europe, northern Asia
DIET
Herbivorous/Omnivorous
HABITAT
Conifer and mixed woodland
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Sciuridae
GENUS
Sciurus
📋 Description
SIZE
18-25 cm body + tail, 250-350 g
COLORATION
Red-brown fur, bushy tail, ear tufts
ADAPTATIONS
Excellent climber, food caching
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Conifer and mixed woodland
DIET
Herbivorous/Omnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Europe, northern Asia
REPRODUCTION
3-7 young, 1-2 litters per year
DIET DETAILS
Seeds, nuts, fungi, buds
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Competition with grey squirrels, disease, habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Red squirrels are native to Europe and were once common in Britain. They cache thousands of nuts each autumn. They have prominent ear tufts in winter.
2
They have been largely replaced by introduced grey squirrels in much of the UK and Ireland.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
New Forest UK
Scottish Highlands
Lake District UK
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Look for reddish squirrels in conifer forests; listen for chattering calls.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Year-round
