Eshott Wildlife
Red Squirrels :
The Red Squirrel Protection Partnership has
produced the following snippets of squirrel information (rspp.org.uk):
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The red squirrel is protected in most of
- Apparently they breed like rabbits (or should the saying be like squirrels?) and often have two broods a year
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The red squirrel population has decreased in the
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The average size of a red squirrel is 19-23 cm, head to body
with an average tail length of 15-20 cm
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Red Squirrels weigh between 250 and 240g
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It is thought that the long tail helps the squirrel to keep its
balance and steer when it is jumping from tree to tree, it may
also keep the animal warm whilst it sleeps
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Red squirrels shed their coats twice a year switching between a
thinner coat in summer and a darker, thicker winter coat
- Mating occurs in February and March and in summer between June and July
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Average size litters are 3-4 but can be as large as 6
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Gestation periods for squirrels is about 38-39 days
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Squirrels have multiple partners and mate many times during
their lives
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The lifespan of a red squirrel is on average 3 years although in
captivity they have been known to live for 10 years
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The nest of a squirrel is known as a drey
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Despite the solitary nature of the red squirrels, outside of the
breeding seasons they sometimes will share dreys in order to
keep warm
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The dominant animals in the squirrel communities are normally
the largest, dominance is not related to sex
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Red squirrels eat seeds of trees, fungi, bird’s eggs, berries
and young shoots
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60-80% of the active period may be spent foraging and feeding
Excess food is put into caches or buried
in holes or nooks in the trees and eaten when food is scarce.
Mangy-looking squirrels
Has anyone spotted any rather mangy-looking squirrels? If so, it
seems as if it is nothing to worry about. According to a
spokesperson from Northern Red Squirrels (Northern Red
Squirrels.co.uk), this is a skin condition common in red squirrels
and from which they recover with no ill effects. Their fur soon
re-grows.
Additional information can be found at www.ulghamredsquirrels.org.uk Ulgham Red Squirrels
Red squirrels dying after picking up human bacteria from animal lovers
Red squirrels may be being "killed with kindness" after picking up human bacteria from animal lovers who leave food out for them, wildlife experts have claimed.
By Laura Roberts
Published: 11:00PM BST 12 Jul 2010, Telegraph
The bacteria, which is found on the hands and skin of humans, has been found in a number of dead squirrels displaying lesions and infections.
However, scientists were not clear whether the infection was the primary cause of death.
Wildlife experts said that the problem was particularly evident on the Isle of Wight, the only place in Britain with no competing grey squirrels, and where residents commonly leave food out for red squirrels.
The bacteria, staphylococcus aureus (staph A), is found naturally in humans, usually in the nose or on the skin. A report in the professional journal, Veterinary Record, found that lesions had been found on 11 dead squirrels in the Isle of Wight and Jersey in 2007 and 2008.
The report said: "It is common practice for people on the Isle of Wight to provide the squirrels with supplementary food, and this raises the possibility that feeding stations may be contaminated by staphylococci of human origin."
Vic Simpson, of the private Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre in Cornwall, who submitted the report, said: "We either have a totally new squirrel disease or it is possible that squirrels are picking up this human bacteria. It may be that squirrels who already have immune problems are more susceptible.
"At present we wouldn't advise people to stop feeding squirrels but if following further research it appears the squirrels are dying as a result of picking up this bacteria we would advise people on wearing gloves or washing their hands before leaving food out.”
"We have had problems of this nature when people leave food out for birds. It is possible to kill with kindness."
Red squirrels are already under severe pressure from more competitive greys, introduced to Britain from America in the 19th century, and the squirrelpox virus, which greys can carry with no symptoms.