🏡 HABITAT - Red squirrels live in coniferous, mixed and broadleaved woodland. In Britain, many of the remaining populations are associated with coniferous forests, where they are better able to compete with grey squirrels.

🍽️ DIET - Their diet consists mainly of seeds and nuts, particularly pine seeds, hazelnuts and the seeds of spruce and larch. They also eat fruit, fungi, tree shoots and bark.

📏 SIZE - Body length: approximately 18–24 cm Tail length: approximately 17–18 cm Weight: around 100–350 g

❤️ LIFESPAN - The average lifespan of a red squirrel is around 6 years.

🌿 UK STATUS - Red squirrels are a protected species in the UK. Their numbers and range have declined dramatically, largely because of competition from introduced grey squirrels, habitat loss and squirrel pox virus. They are classed as Endangered in England and Wales and Near Threatened in Scotland.

Did You Know?

- They're not always red. Their coats can vary considerably, from bright ginger and russet through to dark brown, and their appearance can change with the seasons.

- They don't hibernate! Instead, red squirrels remain active throughout winter and rely partly on food they've hidden away during the autumn.

- Squirrel pox is a serious threat to red squirrels. Squirrel pox is a virus carried by many grey squirrels, which can carry the infection without showing signs of illness. However, when the virus spreads to red squirrels it is usually fatal. Infected red squirrels can develop sores and scabs around the eyes, mouth and paws, become increasingly lethargic and may die within just 10–14 days. Squirrel pox is one of the major reasons why preventing grey squirrels from spreading into areas with vulnerable red squirrel populations is so important for their conservation.