Eurasian Red Squirrel: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Small Mammals · day 1 of 7

Five facts

1. A red squirrel's body is 19 to 23 cm long, and its bushy tail adds another 15 to 20 cm. That is nearly as long as the body.
2. The long tail helps it balance and steer as it leaps between trees and races along branches. It may also keep it warm while it sleeps.
3. Not all red squirrels are red: coats can be brown, grey, black or even bluish. Red coats are most common in Great Britain.
4. A female can have up to two litters a year, about three babies each. Newborns weigh only 10 to 15 g and are blind, deaf and hairless.
5. A red squirrel that makes it through its first winter can expect to live about three years, and some reach seven in the wild.

The quiz

1. How long is a red squirrel's tail?

• 2 to 3 cm
• 50 to 60 cm
• 15 to 20 cm (correct)
• About 1 m

The tail is 15 to 20 cm long, nearly as long as the 19 to 23 cm body.

2. What does the long tail help a red squirrel do?

• Balance and steer when leaping (correct)
• Swim across rivers
• Dig for nuts
• Carry food

The tail helps it balance and steer as it leaps between trees.

3. Where are red coats most common?

• Great Britain (correct)
• Japan
• Korea
• Northeastern China

Red coats are most common in Great Britain; elsewhere many squirrels are brown, grey or black.

4. How many litters can a female raise in a year?

• Only one
• Up to two (correct)
• Up to five
• Up to ten

A female can raise up to two litters each year.

5. Once past its first winter, how long can a red squirrel expect to live?

• About one year
• About ten years
• About three years (correct)
• About fifteen years

Squirrels that survive their first winter can expect about three years, and some reach seven.

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