Red Squirrel
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Courtesy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Squirrel
Iora
There are two types of squirrels in Ireland, the red squirrel and the grey squirrel. The red squirrel is native to Ireland while the grey squirrel is native to North America. Squirrels are great acrobats, scampering up and down trees and jumping from branch to branch.
Squirrels live in trees, where the male squirrel builds a nest, or drey, for his family. This nest is made up of twigs, leaves, moss and bark. Squirrels love to eat nuts, acorns, pine seeds, fungi and berries. Although squirrels do not hibernate they still collect their food for the winter and store it in hidden holes or hollows. Some squirrels are very forgetful and forget where they have hidden their food!
Have you ever seen a squirrel? If so what colour?