Where does the red squirrel live?
The red squirrel lives throughout Eurasia. It is an arboreal rodent, found in both coniferous forest and temperate broadleaf woodlands. Its populations are densest in large areas of coniferous forest. Its long tail helps it balance and steer when jumping from tree to tree and running along branches, and may keep it warm during sleep.
What does the red squirrel eat?
It is a primarily herbivorous, diurnal rodent. Its red to brown colour makes it discreet in autumn in broadleaf woods, and on the ground when it buries seeds or eats underground fungi. Each individual seems to have marked food preferences. Its tail is also used to signal during social interactions. Its coat varies a lot: red, brown, chestnut, grey, black or bluish.
Is the red squirrel endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. But in Great Britain, Ireland and Italy its populations have decreased in recent years, because the introduced grey squirrel is better at feeding in broadleaf woods.
