You’ll spot two types of squirrels in the UK, but only one’s actually native: the Eurasian red squirrel. The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) comes from the UK, while the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) arrived from North America and now pops up in way more places.
Curious about where each squirrel hangs out? Or why grey squirrels seem to have taken over in so many spots? This article should help you figure that out—and maybe even help you spot one in your own garden.
You’ll see how where they live, how they behave, and what people do all shape the future for Britain’s tree-hopping squirrels.
Native Squirrel Species in the UK
Let’s look at which squirrel has called the UK home the longest, where you might still find it, and how to recognize it in the wild or your backyard.
Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)
You’ll find the Eurasian red squirrel in parts of Scotland, northern England, and on a few islands. Its scientific name? Sciurus vulgaris.
Red squirrels tend to stick around in places where grey squirrels haven’t moved in or where people keep their numbers down.
These squirrels have a reddish-brown coat, though the shade changes depending on the time of year and where they live. They build round, leafy nests—called dreys—up in the trees and sometimes use tree holes, especially in conifer or mixed woods.
You might catch them leaping from branch to branch or flicking those big, bushy tails as they go.
If you’re feeding birds, don’t be surprised if a red squirrel drops by for seeds or nuts. They munch on pine seeds, fungi, buds, and berries.
Watch for their quick moves and smaller size compared to grey squirrels.
Red Squirrels’ Historical and Genetic Background
Red squirrels have lived in Britain since the last ice age ended, so about 10,000 years. But people have shaped modern populations a lot—through reintroductions, bringing in squirrels from Europe, and changing forests.
Genetic studies show some UK reds have mixed with squirrels brought in from the continent. So, not every group of red squirrels is exactly the same as those ancient ones.
Conservation groups keep working to protect the native squirrels that are left and try to manage their habitats so they can stick around.
You can find more about where red squirrels live now and what threatens them through wildlife trusts and conservation projects.
Key Characteristics of Native Red Squirrels
Red squirrels are smaller than greys, weighing around 250–400 g. Their fur can go from deep red to brown and gets duller in winter.
You’ll usually see ear tufts, especially in colder months.
They mostly live alone or in small family groups. You’ll see them out during the day or at dusk, hiding food in lots of places for later.
They build dreys from leaves and twigs, usually high up in tree forks. That long, bushy tail? It’s for balance and keeping warm.
Red squirrels face real threats. Squirrelpox, which grey squirrels carry, hits them hard. Losing woodland habitats also makes life tough.
If you want to help, supporting local woodland management is a good start. Or check out Wildlife Trusts’ red squirrel information for more ways to get involved.
Red vs. Grey Squirrels: Distribution, Competition, and Conservation
Let’s get into where each squirrel lives, what makes them different, and what’s putting red squirrels at risk.
You’ll find some facts about habitat, diet, disease, and what people are doing to help.
Where Red and Grey Squirrels Are Found in the UK
Red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) now stick to scattered spots across the UK. You’ll find most of them in parts of Scotland, the Isle of Wight, Anglesey, and a few areas in northern England and Wales.
People call these places red squirrel strongholds. They do best in conifer woods and mixed forests where pine seeds and cones are everywhere.
Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) have spread across England, Wales, and parts of Scotland. They started showing up after people brought them from North America in the 1800s.
Now, they’re everywhere in lowland broadleaf woods. You’ll probably see greys where oak trees drop loads of acorns and hazelnuts, since that’s what they love to eat and stash away.
Want to see a current map? Check out the UK Squirrel Accord for distribution details.
Differences Between Red and Grey Squirrels
Red squirrels are smaller, with ear tufts in winter and a reddish coat. They stick to conifer woods and eat seeds from pine cones and nuts.
Grey squirrels are bigger, don’t have ear tufts, and show off a grey-brown coat. They use all sorts of habitats and go for acorns, hazelnuts, and whatever they can grab from bird feeders.
Greys can eat a wider range of food and build up more fat, which helps them survive in more places. Reds need those high-energy seeds from conifers.
Greys also breed faster and reach bigger numbers. That gives them the edge where they cross paths with reds.
Threats Facing Native Red Squirrels
Disease is a huge problem. Grey squirrels carry squirrelpox, and it’s often deadly for reds.
When squirrelpox shows up, red squirrel populations drop fast.
Greys also outcompete reds for food and nesting spots. They eat more acorns and hazelnuts, which can leave reds with less in mixed woods.
Losing and breaking up woodland makes it even harder for reds, since they need big stretches of conifer forest.
Cars and predators add to the pressure too.
Conservation and Management of Red Squirrels
You can actually make a difference for red squirrels with some targeted actions. For example, people work to control grey squirrel numbers in key areas where reds still live.
Some groups, like The Wildlife Trusts and local partnerships, run conservation and reforestation projects. They focus on bringing back coniferous habitats that red squirrels need.
On the ground, folks create connected patches of woodland. They also remove grey squirrel strongholds that sit too close to red sites.
Some people promote feeders designed just for reds. If you spot a red squirrel or want to help, monitoring and reporting sightings really matters.
Supporting local red squirrel projects goes a long way. Every bit of help counts for these native animals.
