The red squirrel used to be a common animal in the UK, but now it’s one of the most endangered mammals in Britain. Let’s learn about the problems red squirrels face, where they live, what they eat, and how they live their lives.
The number of red squirrels in England has gone down a lot because of the grey squirrel. Grey squirrels came from America in the late 1870s and brought a disease called squirrel pox. This disease is very harmful to red squirrels but doesn’t affect grey squirrels. Because of this, it’s now hard to find red squirrels.
If you want to see red squirrels, you need to go to places where there are no grey squirrels. Jersey, an island in the English Channel, is one such place. Here, people work hard to protect red squirrels, giving them a safe place to live without having to compete with grey squirrels.
Red squirrels are the only native squirrel species in the UK. They mostly live in forests with coniferous trees and in woodlands in places like Scotland, Northumberland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Lake District. They are most active in the mornings and late afternoons.
You can recognize red squirrels by their red or russet fur, pointy ear tufts, and long fluffy tails. Their fur can sometimes look gray, brown, or even black, but their bellies are always white. Grey squirrels, on the other hand, are bigger and don’t have ear tufts.
Red squirrels mainly eat plants, including seeds, hazelnuts, green acorns, fungi, bark, and sapwood. Sometimes, they might eat insects, young birds, and bird eggs. Unlike some other animals, red squirrels don’t hibernate. Instead, they store food like fungi in trees to eat during the winter when they are less active.
In the autumn, red squirrels gain weight to get ready for the cold months. This is especially important for female squirrels who need to be healthy to have babies in the spring.
Red squirrels usually live alone and only come together to mate. During the spring, from February to April, they have special courtship displays called mating chases. After mating, female squirrels usually have two to three babies, called kittens, and might have another litter from May to June.
The red squirrel is an amazing animal that faces big challenges because of the grey squirrel and the diseases they bring. Conservation efforts in places like Jersey give hope for the red squirrel, helping them live safely. It’s important to learn about and protect red squirrels to keep Britain’s natural heritage alive.
Create a diorama of a red squirrel’s habitat. Use materials like shoeboxes, paper, and natural items like twigs and leaves. Include features such as coniferous trees and food sources like seeds and nuts. This will help you understand where red squirrels live and what they need to survive.
Participate in a role-play activity where you act out the impact of squirrel pox on red and grey squirrels. Some of you will be red squirrels, and others will be grey squirrels. This will help you learn about the disease and its effects on red squirrel populations.
Create a comparison chart to highlight the differences between red and grey squirrels. Include aspects like size, ear tufts, fur color, and diet. This will help you identify the unique characteristics of red squirrels and understand why they are endangered.
Go on a scavenger hunt to find items that red squirrels eat. Look for seeds, nuts, and fungi around your school or local park. This activity will help you learn about the diet of red squirrels and their foraging behavior.
Design a poster to raise awareness about the conservation of red squirrels. Include information about their habitat, threats, and how people can help protect them. This project will encourage you to think about the importance of conservation efforts.
Red – A color often used to describe certain animals or plants, like the red squirrel, which has a reddish-brown fur. – The red squirrel is known for its vibrant fur and bushy tail.
Squirrel – A small mammal with a bushy tail, often found in forests and parks, known for gathering nuts and seeds. – The squirrel quickly climbed the tree to reach its nest.
Grey – A color that can describe the fur of some animals, like the grey wolf or grey squirrel. – The grey squirrel is common in many urban parks.
Habitat – The natural environment where a plant or animal lives and grows. – The rainforest is a habitat for many unique species of plants and animals.
Diet – The kinds of food that an animal or person regularly eats. – The diet of a panda mainly consists of bamboo.
Behavior – The way an animal or person acts in response to a particular situation or environment. – The migratory behavior of birds helps them find warmer climates during winter.
Conservation – The protection and preservation of natural resources and environments. – Conservation efforts are important to protect endangered species from extinction.
Species – A group of living organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. – The giant panda is a species that is native to China.
Plants – Living organisms that typically grow in soil and use sunlight to make their own food through photosynthesis. – Plants like trees and flowers are essential for providing oxygen and food for many animals.
Mammals – Warm-blooded animals with fur or hair that usually give birth to live young and feed them with milk. – Humans, dogs, and whales are all examples of mammals.
