Red squirrels are instantly recognisable and occupy habitat in several parts of Scotland, including the Cairngorms.
The Red squirrel is a key species on many people’s Scottish wildlife watching list. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most endangered mammals in Britain.
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Red squirrel facts
The Scientific name for the Red squirrel is Sciurus vulgaris. The genus name ‘Sciurus’ roughly translates as ‘tail shadow’, referring to the animal’s distinctive habit of holding it’s bushy tail above its head while feeding. The species name ‘vulgaris’ means ‘common’ – referring to the fact that this was once Britain’s commonest (and only) squirrel species.
Diet
Like red squirrels elsewhere in the world, those in Scotland eat a wide variety of hard plant material, including pine and spruce seeds, acorns and bark. Food-storing behaviour is common. They also eat berries, tree sap and fungi. Occassionally, they will also gnaw shed deer antlers and raid birds nests for eggs and chicks. This behaviour is thought to occur in order to increase minerals such as calcium, which may be lacking in their plant diet.
Appearance
Red squirrels are small diurnal (active by day) rodents with red-brown fur on their upperparts and tail and yellowish to white fur underneath. Distinctive features of males and females include a large, bushy tail and long ear tufts (in winter). Various colours have been reported, including melanistic (black) and paler forms. Their small, clawed feet have several tiny, round pads, thus making their tracks very distinctive.
Species factfile ❀
Common name: Red squirrel Scientific name: Sciurus vulgaris Order: Rodentia, Family: Sciuridae Measurements: 18-24cm (plus tail 14-20cm), 250-350g Habitat: Large coniferous and mixed forests, parks and gardens Range: Northern Europe. Introduced to North America. Conservation status: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Schedule 5 species, UK Biodiversity Action Plan Species
Reproduction
Normally, mating occurs in early spring (Jan-March), with one litter of 1-3 kits being born in July-September. However, births may occur between March-May if there has been a previous good pine cone crop. Sexual maturity is at 10-12 months of age, gestation is 36-42 days. Females are receptive for just one day a year – which explains the frantic chasing behaviour seen between the sexes and between competing males!
Red squirrels display a morning and afternoon peak in activity during spring. This might be due to a ‘nutritional bottleneck’, where they switch to feeding on starch-rich pine cones, having exhausted their winter supply of fat-rich seeds.
Habitat in Scotland
When visiting red squirrel habitat in the Highlands of Scotland, visitors are often surprised how rarely these animals are seen. Remember however, that these animals travel large distances in the treetops. And in summer, they have a distinct peak of activity 3-4 hours after dawn and 2-3 hours before dusk.
- Early morning is when they are most active (also true in winter)
- Garden nut feeders and bird tables are regular feeding sites
- Watch out near forest roads – they are not averse to crossing roads, so keep a lookout whilst driving or walking
- Piles of discarded pinecone scales are classic feeding signs
- Watch and listen for movement at the start of the breeding season – they can be very active!
The map shows a selection of places where Red squirrels are sighted in Scotland. Their distribution depends mainly on coniferous forests and they rarely travel outside this habitat. This does mean, however, they can become isolated in forest areas.
The Cairngorms: prime red squirrel habitat
The large areas of Caledonian pine forest are excellent habitat for Red squirrels. Glen Feshie, Glenmore, Abernethy and Grantown Woods are all locations worth exploring.
Where to see red squirrels near Aviemore
- Loch an Eilean
- Glenmore
- Craigellachie NNR
- Coylumbridge
Conservation of red squirrel
The Red squirrel is one of the rarest mammals in Britain. Unfortunately, they are almost completely absent from England and Wales, surviving only on islands such as the Isle of Wight, Anglesey and Poole Harbour islands, plus isolated forest in Formby.
Their widespread survival in Scotland is mostly due to larger areas of forest habitat without grey squirrels. Greys are present in lowland areas of Scotland, but mountains and moorland reduce the spread of greys into Highland red squirrel habitats.
Red versus grey
It has long been known that introduced grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are a threat to the survival of reds in Britain. In part, this is due to the larger, heavier greys out-competing the reds for food in mixed and deciduous habitats. Also, the greys have a higher resistance to the common squirrelpox virus, which unfortunately causes death in reds. Red squirrels survive well in areas where grey squirrels are not present. There is also some evidence that if pine martens (Martes martes) are present, they will tend to predate grey squirrels more heavily. This is due to greys being comparatively more common and slower-moving.
Red squirrel’s natural predators include woodland hawks, Pine martens (Martes martes) and potentially Golden eagles. Unfortunately, road traffic is also responsible for large numbers of deaths. Warning signs and even rope bridges are used in some areas to try to reduce collisions.
Learn more about the current status of Scotland’s squirrels through the Great Scottish Squirrel Survey (new tab). Learn more about our wild rodent species in the post about Scottish mammals.
Red squirrels do not hibernate, but do remain in their ‘drey’ for several days in bad weather.
Spring birding in the Cairngorms and more
