Red Squirrel

Sciurus vulgaris

Appearance

•  Adult head–body length: 20 - 22 cm; tail 18 cm. Weight 280 - 350 g.
•  Upper body chestnut in colour, with buff to cream underside, ear tufts and a fluffy tail.

Lifecycle

•  Two litters of three to four kittens are produced per year, usually in March and July.
•  Juveniles are weaned at around 10 weeks old, but do not breed until they are one year old.
•  They can survive for up to six years in the wild.

Habits

•  They prefer woodland that contains a fair proportion of conifer trees.
•  They are active during the day with most of this time spent foraging.