Cute squirrel
There are grey squirrels and red squirrels. Both types are cute. Say hello to the cutest grey squirrel!
Grey squirrel facts
Where can we spot them?
Across England and Wales and in small pockets in Scotland.
What do they eat?
Acorns, tree shoots, flowers, nuts, fruits, roots and sap tissue from scraping the bark of trees.
Why do we love them?
They are very playful and attractive animals and often a welcome bit of wildlife in urban landscapes.
Why do we hate them?
Although cute, the grey squirrel has been blamed for the decline of the red squirrels. Greys are better at competing for food and they carry a disease that is deadly to red squirrels. Although greys carry the disease, they are immune. This means the disease doesn't affect the greys - they are still healthy.
Across England and Wales and in small pockets in Scotland.
What do they eat?
Acorns, tree shoots, flowers, nuts, fruits, roots and sap tissue from scraping the bark of trees.
Why do we love them?
They are very playful and attractive animals and often a welcome bit of wildlife in urban landscapes.
Why do we hate them?
Although cute, the grey squirrel has been blamed for the decline of the red squirrels. Greys are better at competing for food and they carry a disease that is deadly to red squirrels. Although greys carry the disease, they are immune. This means the disease doesn't affect the greys - they are still healthy.
Red squirrels
Red squirrel facts
Where can we spot them?
Scotland and pockets of England and Wales.
What do they eat?
Seeds from spruce and pine trees, berries, mushrooms, bark and sap tissue.
Why do we love them?
Because they are so cute! The little creatures have been part of British folklore since Beatrix Potter wrote Squirrel Nutkin in 1903.
Scotland and pockets of England and Wales.
What do they eat?
Seeds from spruce and pine trees, berries, mushrooms, bark and sap tissue.
Why do we love them?
Because they are so cute! The little creatures have been part of British folklore since Beatrix Potter wrote Squirrel Nutkin in 1903.
Facts about greys and reds
Squirrels can:
- use their tails for balance, communication, as an aerofoil when jumping, and as a cosy blanket!
- go down a tree head-first.
- find buried food even underneath a layer of snow.
Squirrels sometimes keep more than one nest (or drey) at a time in case one gets stolen or blown away. This also makes it harder for predators to find them.
The BBC has more squirrel videos.