Red squirrels are one of Britain’s most enchanting woodland animals. Now largely confined to Scotland, Northern England and pockets of Wales, Northern Ireland and Southern England, these elusive mammals spend their days foraging – often acrobatically – among trees for seeds, fungi, berries and even birds’ eggs.
Not to be mistaken with the larger grey squirrel, reds weigh between 250–300g and their coats range from light orange to almost black.
In autumn, they add about 12% to their body weight in preparation for winter, when they become less active and rely on food they have stored in caches.
Seeing their flash of russet fur among the trees is a rare and special sight, as this selection of gorgeous red squirrel images shows.
The red squirrel's diet includes Scots pine seeds (they crack cones open with strong incisors), fungi and berries. Credit: GettyThey are most active at dawn and dusk, using this time to forage and cache food. Credit: GettyRed squirrels' food caching helps forests regenerate, as buried seeds often germinate and can grow into trees. Credit: GettyA red squirrel takes a drink from a pond in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland – one of animal's strongholds. Credit: GettyRed squirrels are native to the UK and usually live in coniferous forests. Credit: GettyThese forest creatures build spherical, messy-looking nests known as dreys from twigs and moss, positioned high in conifer trees. Credit: GettyReds are classed as endangered in the UK due habitat loss, grey squirrel competition and the squirrelpox virus. Credit: GettyRed squirrels' ear tufts – useful for distinguishing them from grey squirrels – offer insulation in colder temperatures. Credit: GettyA red and chaffinch share a moment on a footpath sign in England. Credit: GettyYoung red squirrels, known as kits or kittens, develop rapidly and leave the drey after ten weeks. Credit: GettyA young red squirrel photographed in late spring in Anglesey, North Wales. Credit: Getty
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