Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus-vulgaris) love conifer forests. On the European mainland and in the UK and Ireland, populations decline through the competition with the Gray Squirrels which were introduced from North America. Hunting for the fur of the red squirrel is a problem in Russia. Hunting, the loss of habitat and the strong competition with the Gray Squirrels will ultimately lead to the extinction in most parts of Europe of the Eurasian red squirrel. When food is plentifull, these cute scatter-hoarders will bury their nuts and seeds. With the power of their lower incisors they use a specialized technique for opening nuts. With practice they are able to open a nut in just a few seconds! "A male is a buck. A female is a doe. Babies are kits (male) or kittens (female), and collectively pups. Squirrels also nest; these nests are called dreys, which may also refer to a group of squirrels." (source)
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Animal diversity web on the Eurasian red squirrel
The Eurasian red squirrel, red squirrel is listed as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the Eurasian red squirrel
A young / baby of a Eurasian red squirrel is called a 'pup, kit or kitten'. The females are called 'doe' and males 'buck'. A Eurasian red squirrel group is called a 'dray or scurry'.Countries
Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, North, Korea, South, Macedonia, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and United KingdomSome facts about the
Eurasian red squirrel
Adult weight : 0.6 kg (1.32 lbs)
Maximum longevity : 15 years
Female maturity :296 days
Male maturity : 320 days
Gestation : 38 days
Weaning : 62 days
Litter size : 5
Litters per year : 2
Interval between litters : 91 days
Weight at birth : 0.009 kg (0.0198 lbs)
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