Red squirrel facts

From naughty Squirrel Nutkin to road savvy Tufty Fluffytail, red squirrels are among our best-loved woodland animals.

Once a common sight across the country, the UK's only native squirrel species has been in decline for decades. Find out why these charismatic rodents are threatened and learn all about them with our fascinating red squirrel facts.

Where do red squirrels live in the UK?

Red squirrels can be found in coniferous forests and deciduous woods in Europe and northern Asia. Their range extends from the UK, Ireland and western Europe to Russia, Mongolia and northwest China.

In the UK, population declines mean the remaining red squirrel strongholds are in:

• Scotland – home to 75% of the UK population, with the largest numbers found in the Highlands, Argyll, the Trossachs, Dumfries & Galloway, Perthshire and Tayside
• the Isle of Anglesey in Wales
• Northern Ireland – with strong populations in County Down and County Fermanagh
• Northumberland, North Yorkshire and the Lake District
• South Coast islands such as Brownsea and the Isle of Wight.

Woodland Trust sites that are home to reds in Scotland include Plora Wood, Glen Finglas, Crinan Wood, Abriachan Wood, Balmacaan, and Glencharnoch Wood.

In Cumbria you’re most likely to see them at Ridgewood, Arrowthwaite Wood, Shank Wood and Spooner Vale. In North Yorkshire, red squirrels are a common sight at our Snaizeholme Estate and are a key species for our restoration work there.

Coed Cwr y Pwll and Parc Mawr are two Woodland Trust woods to spot red squirrels in Wales, while Mourne Park is one of the best in Northern Ireland. 

Why are red squirrels endangered?

Red squirrel numbers in the UK have fallen dramatically since grey squirrels were introduced from North America as an ornamental species in the 1870s.

Since then, the UK population of red squirrels has dropped from around 3.5 million to around 287,000 at the most recent estimate, though the true number could well be lower than this. The population in England is thought to be just under 39,000.

The red squirrel is officially classed as endangered in England and Wales, and as near threatened in Scotland. In Northern Ireland the species is classed as least concern due to conservation efforts helping to boost numbers.

There are three main reasons why grey squirrels are a threat:

• grey squirrels carry a disease, a Parapoxvirus, which does not appear to affect their health but often kills red squirrels
• greys are more likely to eat green acorns, so will decimate the food source before they ripen and the reds can make use of them
• when red squirrels are put under pressure, they don't breed as often.

Another huge factor in the decline of British red squirrels is the loss of woodland over the last century, but road traffic and predators are all threats too.

The difference between red and grey squirrels

Red squirrels are recognisable by their russet fur and long, fluffy tails, with characteristic ear tufts in winter. The colour of their coats can vary, with some reds appearing very grey.

Similarly, some grey squirrels have red fur down their backs and on their feet. However, they are larger than red squirrels and lack the fluffy ear tufts. Unlike the reds, their tails have a fuzzy outer fringe of silver hairs – one of the best things to look for to distinguish the two species.

Red squirrels are very elusive and spend much of their time in the tree canopy. Look out for large dreys in trees, scratch marks on bark, and chewed pine cones that look like apple cores. Listen out for their 'chuk chuk' vocalisation.

Do red squirrels hibernate?

Red squirrels do not hibernate, instead remaining active throughout the winter. In autumn they collect food in preparation, stockpiling it in buried caches to call upon when food is scarce.

Although red squirrels don’t hibernate, they do spend more time sleeping in winter than during the warmer months, making good use of their cosy nests, known as dreys, when the weather gets particularly cold. 

What do red squirrels eat?

Red squirrels have a mainly vegetarian diet that includes seeds, hazelnuts and ripe acorns, fungus, bark and sapwood. They also occasionally take animal prey such as young birds and eggs.

Pine seeds are one of their favourites but they will also eat larch and spruce seeds. Because they disperse seeds, they play a vital role in the reforestation process.

Red squirrels are known to store fungi in trees to eat over the winter months. When food is plentiful, they put on weight in the autumn to help them through the winter. This is important for breeding females, so that they are in good condition for producing young in the spring.

When do red squirrels have babies?

Red squirrels usually produce 2-3 young, called kittens, in February to April and they often produce a second litter from May to June.

Outside of the mating season, red squirrels tend to live alone, but in early spring, watch out for their courtship displays in the trees.

Babies are born 45-48 days after mating and are looked after by their mothers. Kittens are weaned at around 10 weeks when they develop a complete set of teeth. Some stay with their mothers over winter. Only 20-50% of red squirrel kittens survive to adulthood.

Red squirrel conservation – how we're helping

We are working with partners in projects across Britain to develop long-term conservation strategies that deter greys and encourage reds.

These strategies include establishing buffer areas around red squirrel strongholds with control of grey squirrels, ongoing monitoring, helping landowners to improve habitat for squirrels, and planting trees to connect areas of woodland.

England’s remnant reds are now fighting back. A five-year scheme has turned the tide in Cumbria and Northumberland, with 52% of sites surveyed in 2024 showing red squirrel activity. We have helped by allowing volunteers to lay trail cams and trap greys in eight of our woods, including Dufton Ghyll in the North Pennines, Miltonrigg in Brampton and Great Knott Wood near Windermere. The work focuses on the buffer zones where red squirrel strongholds could be extended.

In 2019, we partnered with Trees for Life to reintroduce 20 red squirrels to Ledmore & Migdale – a site in the Scottish Highlands where reds had been absent for many years. Our management of the woodland had made it the ideal place for the reds to make a comeback, and the population has thrived in the years since.

We are also supporting work by the Vincent Wildlife Trust in the reintroduction of pine marten, including most recently into the woods of Dartmoor in Devon in 2024. Research suggests pine martens can help control grey squirrel numbers, and that this is enabling the recovery of Britain’s red squirrel populations.