Eurasian red squirrel.
Eurasian red squirrel.

Eurasian Red Squirrel

The Eurasian red squirrel is a tree squirrel native to Eurasia.

Eurasian red squirrel.

Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), Szarvas Animal Park, Hungary.

The Eurasian red squirrel used to be the dominant kind of squirrel one could find all over Europe until the introduction of the Eastern grey squirrel introduced from North America the grey squirrel started to displace the native red squirrel.

Eurasian red squirrels in grey winter coat.

Eurasian red squirrels in grey winter coat, Szarvas Animal Park, Hungary.

Since the numbers have declined the Eurasian red squirrel is protected all over Europe.

The eradication of the invasive grey squirrel may help with the recovery of the red squirrel population.

The Eurasian red squirrel is omnivorous and it will eat various nuts, seed (especially pine seeds), berries, mushrooms, small birds and their eggs.

Further Readings:

Red squirrel on Wikipedia.
Red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris on ARKive.
Sciurus vulgaris on ADW.
Boreal Forests of the World Mammal Species – Eurasian Red Squirrel.
Eurasian Red Squirrel – Sciurus vulgaris on the Encyclopedia of Life.

Last updated: May 3, 2019

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