Squirrel

Known for its playful nature and distinctive appearance, the European red squirrel is a common and popular wild animal. This fact sheet provides a detailed overview of the red squirrel's biology and ecology and highlights the importance of protecting its habitats and food sources.

The squirrel reaches a body length of 18 to 24 cm and weighs 250 to 350 g. Its diet includes nuts, seeds, berries, bark, buds, fruits, and mushrooms. Its life expectancy is up to 6 years.

Squirrels for the garden, nature trail & classroom

Profile: Squirrel

  • Scientific classification

    • Class: Mammalia (mammals)
    • Order: Rodentia (rodents)
    • Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
    • Genus: Sciurus
    • Species: S. vulgaris (European red squirrel)

  • Physical characteristics

    • Size: Body length of 18-24 cm
    • Tail length: 14-20 cm
    • Weight: 250-350 g
    • Special features: Fluffy fur, usually in various shades of brown and grey; long, bushy tail; characteristic brush ears.

  • Habitat and distribution

    • Common regions: Europe, parts of Asia, North Africa
    • Habitat: Forests, parks, gardens, preferably deciduous and mixed forests with sufficient food supply.
    • Adaptability: High, can also live in urban areas as long as there are enough trees and hiding places.

  • Nutrition

    • Diet: Omnivorous with plant dominance
    • Typical food: nuts, seeds, berries, bark, buds, fruits, mushrooms; occasionally also insects, bird eggs and small vertebrates.

  • Reproduction and lifestyle

    • Mating season: spring and summer
    • Nest type: Nests in tree hollows, nest boxes or leaf nests
    • Litter size: 2-6 young
    • Incubation period: Approx. 38-39 days
    • Social structure: Usually solitary outside of the mating season, but can also live in loose groups.

  • Lifespan and protection status

    • Life expectancy: Up to 6 years in the wild
    • Endangered status: Least concern; however, threatened in some areas by habitat loss and traffic accidents.
    • Protection measures: preservation and protection of forests and green spaces, education about the correct feeding of squirrels.

  • How big the squirrel really is

    • Squirrel: 25 × 24 cm

    Dimensions of the life-size standees (width × height), printed at a 1:1 scale.

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