Squirrels

The main habitat of the grey squirrel is broad
leaved and mixed broad leaved/conifer woodland.
The grey squirrel also found in hedgerows as
well as being a common resident in urban
areas where there are trees .

The body length of a squirrel is 25cm plus
22cm of tail weighing 500gm. The winter coat is
grey above with a white underside, the summer coat
is shorter sleeker and brownish grey above.

Red squirrels have red/brown upper parts in summer but may show some grey on the back in winter leading to some confusion. Red squirrels are smaller and lighter than the grey squirrel and have ear tufts prominent in the winter coat and brown on the legs and tail.

There are two squirrel breeding seasons a year, first squirrel litters are born in February and March and gestation is 45 days. The young squirrels are weaned at 10 weeks. Second litters are born June and July with an average litter of 3-4.