Squirrels

There are no squirrels on Guernsey  but there are two types on the mainland.

Squirrels live in dreys and eat fruit, vegetables and nuts. They are vegetarian.

They are a type of rodent.

Grey Squirrels

image credit: The Woodland Trust

Population about 2.5 million. Introduced by the Victorians from North America in the 1800’s.They are bigger than the red squirrel. They need a smaller area to live in and out compete the red squirrel.

Red Squirrels

taken on Isles of Scilly (Tresco) this summer

Population about 140,000.  Red Squirrels are native to the UK and have been around for 10,000 years.  They are endangered. When grey and red squirrels are in the same area it is the grey squirrel who will take over. Grey squirrels carry a disease called squirrel pox which is fatal to the red squirrel and doesn’t affect them.

Map showing where red and grey squirrels live. Brownsea island and Anglesey are two islands in the UK that have red squirrels.

image credit The Wildlife Trusts

More information from the Wildlife trusts