In terms of size, the Grey Squirrel stands out from its native counterpart, the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), boasting a larger physique. With a head and body length ranging between 240-285mm, it dwarfs the smaller red squirrel, which typically measures between 180-240mm in length.
Despite the variation in body weight, Grey Squirrels generally weigh between 480-650g on average, making them substantial creatures in the squirrel kingdom.
As diurnal animals, Grey Squirrels display heightened activity levels during the early morning and late afternoon. Unlike some territorial species, they prefer sharing home ranges and exploiting temporally abundant food sources, exhibiting a social adaptability uncommon among many wildlife species. Their nests, known as dreys, are meticulously crafted using twigs, often harvested live from trees, providing a cozy refuge with leaves still attached—a stark contrast to typical bird nests.
When it comes to diet, Grey Squirrels display remarkable adaptability, primarily feasting on the large seeds of trees such as oak, beech, hazel, sweet chestnut, and walnut. However, as these supplies dwindle in early summer, their culinary preferences diversify to include an array of flowers, buds, shoots, pine cones, fungi, and even raiding bird feeders for peanuts and preying on birds' eggs and young.
In summary, the Grey Squirrel's distinctive features, ranging from its size and coat color to its adaptable behaviors and dietary preferences, make it a noteworthy inhabitant of forests and urban environments alike, contributing to the rich tapestry of wildlife diversity.
Grey Squirrel: Size, Diet, Behavior
