Squirrels

The grey squirrel Sciurus Carolinensis is non-native to the UK and originates from Eastern North America.  Adults have a body length of 9-12 inches and a tail that is nearly as long again.  They are rodents and can gnaw through many materials.

The average adult weighs 400-600 grams.

Grey squirrels are crepuscular so most active early on the morning and then later in the day.  They can have two litters per year and often around 2-4 young per litter.

The grey squirrel has caused a variety of problems here in the UK.  They have displaced the smaller, shyer red squirrel which is now becoming quite rare.  They also damage trees and can result in large-scale deforestation in some areas where many trees die after the squirrels strip the bark from the lower trunk of the trees.  Surprising to many, they will also eat eggs and young birds in the nest.  The most noticeable problem for many people though is when a squirrel enters their property.  The squirrels enjoy making a home in certain parts of buildings, and once there can cause a lot of physical damage to the building structure, insulation, wiring, possessions etc.

They do also have a very powerful bite, though will only tend to use this when cornered and threatened. Squirrels do carry some diseases too, such as Lyme’s disease, salmonella, tularemia and leptospirosis which is important to be aware of and can necessitate control measures.