The Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a species of tree squirrel native to Europe and Asia. They are famous for their cute ear tufts. Their coats can also be grey with red tinges, dark brown, or black. Eurasian Red Squirrels are not found in America.

The North American Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is native to the eastern and southern United States as well ad the southern portions of Canada’s central provinces. It is an invasive species in Europe and Asia (and in western Canada as well).

 

 

Here is a Eurasian Red Squirrel. Notice the resplendent ear tufts. In the winter Eurasian Red Squirrels have thicker coats, bushier tails, and prominent ear tufts. However, in the summertime, they lose their ear tufts.

 

 

Here is an Eurasian Red Squirrel photographed in England in the summer months- note the lack of ear tufts.

 

 

Eurasian Red Squirrel

 

 

Eurasian Red Squirrel

 

 

Eurasian Red Squirrel

 

In England, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy, Eurasian Red Squirrel numbers have decreased drastically in recent years. This decline is associated with the introduction by humans of the North American Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

The North American Eastern Grey Squirrel competes with the Eurasian Red Squirrel for food and territory and carries diseases that the Eurasian Red Squirrel hasn’t built up an immunity against. Humans have also destroyed a lot of the Eurasian Red Squirrel’s habitat. Organizations are working to increase the population numbers of the Eurasian Red Squirrel and to reforest the land. The Red Squirrel Survival Trust is one of the groups involved in this important work: https://www.rsst.org.uk/

 

 

The North American Eastern Grey Squirrel

This is a North American Eastern Grey Squirrel. The North American Grey Squirrel has no ear tufts at any time of the year. The North American Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is usually grey but can also be red, or cream, black, or brown.

 

 

Here’s a North American Eastern Grey Squirrel with a red coat.

 

 

Here’s a melanistic (all black) North American Eastern Grey Squirrel.

 

 

Here’s the most common color of North American Eastern Grey Squirrel- grey with a cream belly area.

 

 

North America has other squirrel species that can be red, like the pictured above American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). They are not found in Europe.

 

More squirrel info:

Squirrels of the world https://www.squirrelsatthefeeder.com/types-of-squirrels/

North American squirrel species: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/5-types-of-north-american-squirrels.html

Other North American Squirrel species that can be red: https://www.squirrelsatthefeeder.com/red-squirrel-facts/

Squirrel Fur Colors in United States and Britain: https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/animals/article/squirrel-fur-colour-characteristics

 

 

 

Info about the Eastern Grey Squirrel In Canada

Canada is also having trouble with the Eastern Grey Squirrel. The Grey is harming the populations of Canada’s squirrels (including their own red squirrel which is a different species from the Eurasian Red Squirrel). Habitat loss is making the problem much worse. Here is a govt info sheet on the issue and how you can help:

 

A note on invasive species

There are humane ways to deal with invasive species. Trapping and poisoning are cruel methods that also harm other animals in the ecosystem. Skilled riflepersons who can kill instantly are a much more humane and effective solution to dealing with invasive species: https://wildearthguardians.org/wildlife-conservation/end-cruel-trapping/

 

 

 

p.s. Here are some hilarious squirrels from around the world: https://imgur.com/gallery/Som1JFN