Red and Grey Squirrels – The differences
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Red Squirrels Sciurus vulgaris |
Grey Squirrels Sciurus carolinensis |
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| Appearance | Coat and tail normally red but can vary from wheaten to dark brown. Grows characteristic ear tufts in winter. | Tail has an outer fringe of white or silver hairs. Coat generally silver-grey but can be other colours including reddish-brown which can lead to mis-identification. The tail is key. |
| Native range | Europe, Siberia, Mongolia and Northwest China. | Eastern North America. |
| Population | Fewer than 287,000 in the UK. | Estimates of 2.7 million in the UK. |
| Status | Protected under the UK’s Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority species in the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Classed as near-threatened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
Classed as an invasive non-native species in the UK and an invasive alien species in Europe.
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| Threats | Competition from invasive non-native grey squirrels; diseases, especially squirrel pox spread by grey squirrel; habitat destruction; traffic accidents and predators. | Road traffic accidents and predators. |
| Length | 18-24 cm | 24-29 cm |
| Tail | 17-18 cm | 19-24 cm |
| Weight | 280-330g | 400-650g |