Overview

The red squirrel is Britain's only native squirrel — smaller and nimbler than the introduced grey, with distinctive ear tufts in winter and a chestnut coat. It leaps through Scots pine canopy with effortless grace, caching seeds and stripping cones with practiced efficiency.

Red squirrels have retreated as grey squirrels spread, carrying a poxvirus lethal to reds and outcompeting them for food. Strongholds remain in Scotland, the Lake District, Anglesey, and the Isle of Wight — places where conservation efforts keep the native red alive.

Habitat

Conifer woodland and mixed forest across Scotland, northern England, and Wales suit red squirrels. They prefer Scots pine and spruce, where they can exploit cone crops that grey squirrels handle less efficiently.

Countries found

Red Squirrel in United Kingdom

Interesting facts

01
Red squirrels are native to the UK — greys outcompete them for food.
02
Ear tufts grow longer in winter and are shed in summer.
03
A red squirrel can tell if a nut is worth opening by shaking it.

Conservation status

EN — Endangered

Red squirrels are Endangered in the UK after grey squirrel competition and squirrelpox devastated populations. Scotland holds roughly 75% of Britain's remaining reds.