DSC0905 Red Squirrel.. - a photo on Flickriver

            Red Squirrel - Sciurus Vulgaris

Highlands, Scotland.

The red squirrel is found in both coniferous forest and temperate broadleaf woodlands. The squirrel makes a drey (nest) out of twigs in a branch-fork, forming a domed structure about 25 to 30 cm in diameter. This is lined with moss, leaves, grass and bark. Tree hollows and woodpecker holes are also used. The red squirrel is a solitary animal and is shy and reluctant to share food with others. However, outside the breeding season and particularly in winter, several red squirrels may share a drey to keep warm. Social organization is based on dominance hierarchies within and between sexes; although males are not necessarily dominant to females, the dominant animals tend to be larger and older than subordinate animals, and dominant males tend to have larger home ranges than subordinate males or females.
Red squirrels that survive their first winter have a life expectancy of 3 years. Individuals may reach 7 years of age, and 10 in captivity. Survival is positively related to availability of autumn–winter tree seeds; on average, 75–85% of juveniles die during their first winter, and mortality is approximately 50% for winters following the first.
Although not thought to be under any threat worldwide, the red squirrel has nevertheless drastically reduced in number in the United Kingdom; especially after the grey squirrels were introduced from North America in the 1870s. Fewer than 140,000 individuals are thought to be left in 2013; approximately 85% of which are in Scotland, with the Isle of Wight being the largest haven in England. A local charity, the Wight Squirrel Project,[26] supports red squirrel conservation on the island, and islanders are actively recommended to report any invasive greys. The population decrease in Britain is often ascribed to the introduction of the eastern grey squirrel from North America, but the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat has also played a role. 
In January 1998, eradication of the non-native North American grey squirrel began on the North Wales island of Anglesey. This facilitated the natural recovery of the small remnant red squirrel population. It was followed by the successful reintroduction of the red squirrel into the pine stands of Newborough Forest. Subsequent reintroductions into broadleaved woodland followed and today the island has the single largest red squirrel population in Wales. Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour is also populated exclusively by red rather than grey squirrels (approximately 200 individuals). 

   

Taken on: February 26, 2020

Tags:

Red Squirrel

Squirrel

Animal

Animals

Mammal

Wildlife.

Woodlands

Woodland

Woods

Wildlife Photography

Jeff Lack Photography

Countryside

Cairngorms

Caledonian

Trees

Bark

Pine-Forest

Pines

Forest

Forests

Forestry

Nuts

Nature

Nature Photography

Nikon « less

Sets appears in: • Red Squirrel

Groups appears in: • British Wildlife • Flickr Nature more » • ***The Wildlife Photography • Nature Watch UK • *Flickr Photo Award* • NATURE'S BEST • Birds and Wildlife UK • "World Nature & Wildlife Closeup" Post 1/C3 • En armonía con la Naturaleza • Life is Beautiful ♥ - Temporarily CLOSED • NATURE'S - CREATIONS • National Geographic Wild Life • National Geographic | World Wide • Best Wildlife Photos -Animals,Insects!(NO PEOPLE/PET/BUILDINGS) • !*Flickr Award Group*! (GIVE 5 AWARDS) • Birds and Wildlife Only!!! • National Wildlife Magazine Photo Group • ***ANIMALS INTERNATIONAL*** New Title/Awards (NO PEOPLE) • BBC Springwatch (Official) • *Nature's Beautiful Photography- (P1~A1)NO PEOPLE/NO BUILDINGS • National Trust Wildlife • Natural Britain • *Specialist Nature & Wildlife Photographers* (P1 - A2) • ! * The Beauty of Nature/ NO people! NO single buildings! P1/C2 • ! * Fantastic Nature Group *Moderated* » Post 1 and Award 1 « • Great British Wildlife • ***Naturally Wonderful***[100% NATURE]NO PEOPLE/BUILDINGS/BOATS • Nature's Gallery (Post 1 / Award 3) • Henny's Animal Kingdom - (P1/C2) • #3 PALLADIUM WILDLIFE/ Post 1 - Award 5 (P2-A10) with CODE • [][][]Nature.. Light and Color[][][] • Digital SLR Photography Magazine • BBC Wildlife aspirations • European Birds and Wildlife • arbor square ~ A Nature Group ~ P1/C2 • Eblouissante Nature / Brilliant Nature - P1/C2 - No People • -- AMORE PER LA NATURA - P1/C2 • Best Nature Shot Of The Day • N-Photo Mag • *C&W Winter Moments*(Invite Only)~(P-1 # A-2) • flickr (unofficial) • Nature of the British Isles • Our Wonderful and Fragile World - P1 - A4 • BIRDWATCHING & WILDLIFE magazine • NATURE'S SPIRIT (by invitation) (post 1/award 1) • EXPLORE *** NATURE THE WILD NATURE *** • CREATURES IN THEIR HABITATS • "ATTIMI DI NATURA - MOMENTS OF NATURE" • Nature's Elite/PLEASE ONLY NATURE PHOTOS • Nature TTL - Nature Photographs • Amateur Photographer Magazine • Nature and Animals (Wild Only) • Natural variety / fauna - flora - sceneries • NATURE'S KALEIDOSCOPE P1 X A1 • Birds And Nature Of Britian • Nature watch photography. • Specialists' Choice Nature & Wildlife (P1 - A2) • The Specialists' Hall of Fame • Instants magiques. « less

Stats: 8,304 views / 163 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: