About red squirrels

Red squirrels are Scotland's only protected squirrel species.  Once widespread, they have declined in number and range across the UK.  They are still widespread in Europe but are now under some threat with the arrival and expansion of the grey squirrel population in Italy.

Scotland is a key area for red squirrels and current supports  approximately 75% of the UK population.  Although popularly thought to live in conifer woodlands, they actually live in a range of woodland habitats, from conifer forest to broadleaf, including urban parks and gardens.  The kind of trees and how well close and connected they are is very important as squirrels rely on their immediate surroundings for both food and shelter.  Changes in either the type of tree or the design of the woodland can significantly affect populations. Where suitable habitat is patchy, populations can become isolated from each other and/or their food sources and you may see increased risks of predation where animals are forced to cross open ground.

Undoubtedly the key threat to the red squirrel is the presence of the non-native grey squirrel.   This competes for food resources but also harbours squirrelpox virus which, although apparently harmless to the grey squirrel, will kill any red squirrels within 15 days of contracting it. The virus is being monitored through collaborative research and, at the moment, appears to be limited to areas in South Scotland.  However, it poses a significant threat to the rest of the Scottish population if it spread through the central belt and further north.

More details on the the biology and ecology of the species is published in our Red Squirrels: Naturally Scottish series. This has useful information about the nature of these animals and how disturbing them or changing their environment may affect them.