Grey Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Iora Glas
What group of animals do grey squirrels belong to?
The grey squirrel is a rodent, in the same group as mice and rats. Rodents are one of the most successful groups of mammals, with 1700 species. Most rodents are small, and all have strong sharp front teeth (incisors) which grow throughout the animal’s life. So rodents have to gnaw constantly at their food, which helps keep their teeth at the right length.
What does a grey squirrel look like?
The grey squirrel is a good bit larger than a red squirrel. Measuring up to 48cm from nose to tip of tail, and about half a kilogram in weight, there is little difference between males & females. The thick coat is greyish-brown, with a slight reddish tinge in summer. The tail is grey, very long and bushy. The ear tufts are also much less visible than on the red squirrel.
Are grey squirrels native to Ireland?
Grey squirrels are not native to Ireland, but originally came from the forests of eastern North America. The Irish population originated from a single introduction in 1911, at Castle Forbes in Co. Longford; apparently they were introduced at a wedding party. Since then, grey squirrels have colonised 20 counties in Ireland, and the spread is continuing.
Where do grey squirrels live?
Grey squirrels originated in species-rich broadleaved woodland, which they still prefer. But they have also adapted to parks and gardens, and to a lesser extent, conifer plantations. Grey squirrels are quite good climbers, but spend a lot more time on the ground than red squirrels.
What do grey squirrels eat?
Although grey squirrels feed mainly on nuts and seeds, they are highly adaptable. As well as acorns, beech nuts (mast), hazelnuts and pine cones, they will nip flowers and buds in spring, take fruit from orchards in autumn, and strip the bark from trees in winter to get at the sap. As most foraging is done on the ground, they will even take root crops on farms. They also raid bird tables in parks and gardens for nuts and seeds.
Are grey squirrels territorial?
Squirrels require more space than you might think; home ranges vary from about 4 to 8 hectares, though they may overlap. Within each home range is a number of nests or dreys, about 50cm across and built of twigs in the fork of a tree, so a squirrel doesn’t have too far to travel to shelter each night. During the breeding season, squirrels fight by wrestling and chasing each other.
When are baby grey squirrels born?
Grey squirrels can breed between December and July, so if conditions are right and there’s enough food to go round, a female might have 2 litters in one year. Gestation lasts 44 days, and the young are born blind and naked in the drey. They are weaned after about 2 months.
Do grey squirrels hibernate?
No, although they are less active in the winter months, spending much more time huddled in the drey.
Do grey squirrels make noises?
Like red squirrels, grey squirrels make a variety of chattering, squeaking and buzzing noises, especially during the mating season and when trying to drive off potential aggressors or predators.
How long do grey squirrels live?
On average, grey squirrels live for about 2 years, including 2 breeding seasons. Females are longer-lived than males.
Some people say grey squirrels kill red squirrels; is this true?
There is no evidence that grey squirrels physically attack red squirrels. But the spread of greys in Ireland directly correlates with the decline of reds, so they definitely have a bad effect on the red population. Grey squirrels are larger, more adaptable and more aggressive. They can digest foods like acorns and beech nuts more efficiently than reds, and they can also eat hazelnuts before they are ripe enough for red squirrels. It has also been recently discovered that grey squirrels are carriers of parapox virus, which is harmful to red squirrels.
Do grey squirrels have any predators?
It is possible that the pine
marten, a native member of the weasel family, occasionally preys on grey squirrels. In Europe, pine martens sometimes catch red squirrels; this has not been seen in Ireland as both the red squirrel and pine marten are quite rare. But since grey squirrels are larger and less agile than red squirrels, they provide a bigger meal for less effort, and might become a more regular item on the pine marten’s menu as both species continue to increase.
Are grey squirrels protected?
Grey squirrels are not protected. As well as their detrimental effect on red squirrels, they are regarded as a pest in forestry and even in parklands. Studies are currently underway to see what could be done to reduce the numbers of grey squirrels in some areas, but it is likely that the grey squirrel is here to stay.