Squirrels are some of the cheekiest animals you might spot in the UK.<\/p>
They dash along fences, leap through trees, bury snacks in the ground, and sometimes stop very still as if they have suddenly remembered something extremely important. With their bright eyes, twitchy noses, tiny paws, and enormous bushy tails, squirrels are full of energy and character.<\/p>
They are funny, clever, fast, and much more interesting than they first seem.<\/p>
Squirrels are built for life in the trees.<\/p>
Their sharp claws help them grip bark, branches, fences, and tree trunks. Their long, bushy tails help them balance when they are climbing or leaping. A squirrel\u2019s tail can also help it communicate, keep warm, and even act a little bit like a furry umbrella when the weather is bad.<\/p>
Watching a squirrel climb is like watching a tiny woodland gymnast. One second it is on the ground, and the next it is halfway up a tree.<\/p>
In the UK, there are two main types of squirrel: red squirrels<\/strong> and grey squirrels<\/strong>. Red squirrels are native to the UK and have lived here for thousands of years, while grey squirrels were introduced from North America in the 1800s.<\/p> Grey squirrels are now much more common across England, Wales, and central Scotland. They are usually larger than red squirrels, with grey fur, smaller ears, and no ear tufts.<\/p> Red squirrels are smaller and often have beautiful rusty-red fur, although their colour can vary. They are also known for their fluffy tails and little ear tufts, especially in winter.<\/p> Red squirrels are one of the UK\u2019s most loved woodland animals, but they are now much rarer than they used to be.<\/p> They are mostly found in parts of Scotland, northern England, some islands, and a few special protected places. Red squirrels often live in coniferous woodland, where they feed on seeds, nuts, fungi, shoots, and cones.<\/p> One fun clue that red squirrels have been nearby is a nibbled pine cone. When a squirrel has finished with it, the cone can look a bit like an apple core.<\/p> Grey squirrels are very good at surviving in lots of different places. They can live in woodlands, parks, gardens, towns, and cities. They are often the squirrels most people in the UK see when they look out of the window or walk through a park.<\/p> Grey squirrels are clever foragers. They collect nuts, seeds, berries, buds, shoots, and sometimes other foods too. They often bury food in the ground to save for later, which is called caching<\/strong>.<\/p> Sometimes they forget where they buried everything \u2014 and that can actually help trees grow!<\/p> Squirrel nests are called dreys<\/strong>.<\/p> A drey is usually made from twigs, leaves, moss, bark, and other soft natural materials. Squirrels often build them high up in trees, where they are safer from danger. Red squirrels make rough nests called dreys high in the tree canopy.<\/p> From the outside, a drey can look like a messy ball of leaves and twigs. But inside, it can be warm, dry, and cosy \u2014 the perfect squirrel hideaway.<\/p> Baby squirrels are called kits<\/strong> or kittens<\/strong>.<\/p> They are born tiny and helpless, and they stay safely tucked away while they grow. As they get bigger, they start exploring, climbing, balancing, and learning how to find food.<\/p> Imagine being a baby squirrel and discovering your first tree. That would be a very wobbly adventure!<\/p> Red squirrels have declined in many parts of the UK, mainly because of competition from grey squirrels, habitat loss, and squirrelpox virus. Grey squirrels can carry squirrelpox without becoming ill, but the disease can be deadly for red squirrels.<\/p> That does not mean grey squirrels are \u201cbad\u201d animals. They are just living where humans introduced them. But it does mean people need to work carefully to protect red squirrels and the woodland habitats they need.<\/p> Conservation groups help by protecting habitats, monitoring squirrel populations, supporting red squirrel strongholds, and teaching people how to help wildlife.<\/p> We love squirrels because they make nature feel playful.<\/p> They are quick, curious, brave, and a little bit silly. They can turn an ordinary walk into an adventure just by bouncing across a path or racing up a tree.<\/p> For kids, squirrels are exciting because they are easy to spot and fun to watch. For adults, they are a reminder that wildlife is not always far away. Sometimes it is right there in the garden, park, school field, or woodland path.<\/p> Squirrels show us that small animals can be full of big personality.<\/p> Squirrel nests are called dreys<\/strong>.<\/p> Red squirrels are native to the UK, while grey squirrels were introduced from North America.<\/p> Grey squirrels are usually bigger than red squirrels.<\/p> Red squirrels often have ear tufts, especially in winter.<\/p> Squirrels bury food to save for later, which is called caching<\/strong>.<\/p> The next time you see a squirrel, stop and watch for a moment. Is it climbing, digging, nibbling, leaping, or flicking its tail? Whatever it is doing, it is probably on a tiny adventure of its own.<\/p> We\u2019ve learned lots from brilliant wildlife organisations and nature experts while writing this blog, including The Wildlife Trusts, Woodland Trust, RSPCA, People\u2019s Trust for Endangered Species, and UK Squirrel Accord. Thank you for helping people learn more about squirrels in the UK and how to protect them.<\/p>","urlTitle":"squirrels-the-tree-top-acrobats","url":"\/blog\/squirrels-the-tree-top-acrobats\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/squirrels-the-tree-top-acrobats\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/fernbray.co.uk\/blog\/squirrels-the-tree-top-acrobats\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1778429931,"updatedAt":1778430052,"publishedAt":1778430052,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":437004,"name":"Fernbray"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/oirmtadjjie95sa6gkr2dcftut806prrqxwucpqe8eem84i6.png","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/oirmtadjjie95sa6gkr2dcftut806prrqxwucpqe8eem84i6.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/oirmtadjjie95sa6gkr2dcftut806prrqxwucpqe8eem84i6.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":56387,"title":"Owls: The Silent Hunters of the Night","url":"\/blog\/owls-the-silent-hunters-of-the-night\/","urlTitle":"owls-the-silent-hunters-of-the-night","division":437004,"description":"Owls are some of the most mysterious birds in nature. They glide through the dark when most of us are asleep, listening carefully, watching closely, and moving so quietly that you might never know they were there. With their big eyes, soft feathers, sharp talons, and curious faces, owls feel like they belong in storybooks \u2014 but they are very real, very clever, and very important","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/zijicmrku7avq9moan7gbis7nr21mjemguk2pfeq0pou3k5q.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/zijicmrku7avq9moan7gbis7nr21mjemguk2pfeq0pou3k5q.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":56384,"title":"Deer: The Quiet Forest Explorers","url":"\/blog\/some-fun-facts-about-deer\/","urlTitle":"some-fun-facts-about-deer","division":437004,"description":"There is something magical about seeing a deer. One moment the woodland feels still and quiet. Then, between the trees, you spot a pair of ears, a soft brown face, or a flash of white as a deer disappears into the shadows","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8tjim6ouftyeiscyvgfzssghnrczfo74xnzqmdl2tyyfepth.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/8tjim6ouftyeiscyvgfzssghnrczfo74xnzqmdl2tyyfepth.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":56385,"title":"Badgers: The Stripy-Nosed Night Explorers","url":"\/blog\/badgers-the-stripy-nosed-night-explorers\/","urlTitle":"badgers-the-stripy-nosed-night-explorers","division":437004,"description":"Badgers are one of those animals that feel a little bit secret and magical. You might not see one very often, because badgers usually come out at night. But while we are brushing our teeth, putting on pyjamas, or going to sleep, badgers are waking up, stretching their strong little legs, and heading out into the dark to explore.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/6pah69c3dmdav7mui7mzpjzxevtb8doxmnj1poqx0ayetsxq.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/6pah69c3dmdav7mui7mzpjzxevtb8doxmnj1poqx0ayetsxq.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}Red Squirrels Are Special<\/h3>
Why Grey Squirrels Are Everywhere<\/h3>
Squirrels Build Cosy Nests<\/h3>
Baby Squirrels Are Called Kits<\/h3>
Why Red Squirrels Need Help<\/h3>
Why We Love Squirrels<\/h3>
Fun Squirrel Facts<\/h3>
A Little Thank You<\/h3>