A friend heard on the radio this morning that the Red Squirrel is becoming endangered. Is this true? And what can we do about it?
2006-12-20 22:55:18 · 29 answers · asked by Skippy 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Long live the Squirrel!
2006-12-20 22:55:40 · update #1
There are places where there are programs to help the population of the red squirrel.
The Isle of Wight ( Island of the south coast UK) is a Red squirrel zone and has one of the best reserves for them to live safely.
The 'Grey' is not allowed and there are strict rules and safety procedures and wardens to prevent anyone bringing them in.
Here is our link for them. Check it out and see if you can get involved.
http://www.wightsquirrels.co.uk/
2006-12-20 23:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There's a little confusion here because there are 2 red squirrels on different continents and they're different squirrels.
In the UK, the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is endangered. Apparently the gray squirrel introduced from North America seems to be outcompeting it.
In the US, the red squirrel (Tamaisciurus hudsonicus) seems to be doing fine.
Let's make a trade... The UK gives the US back our gray (grey) squirrels, and the US will give the UK back their House Sparrows and starlings!
2006-12-21 11:27:32 · answer #2 · answered by Strix 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah, the grey squirrels are taking over and the poor little red ones are losing the battle for nesting places, food and all other squirrelling little requirements! I'm living in Germany at the moment though I'm from Britain, and, I've NEVER seen a grey squirrel here but lots and lots of red ones. I wanna put a pair of red squirrels in my suitcase this christmas and take 'em home to mate in my mum's garden!
Seriously, I think the UK should look at importing more red squirrels from Europe to boost the population in the UK. It'll be really sad if they become extinct in the UK.
2006-12-21 02:21:37 · answer #3 · answered by Andy M Thompson 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The red squirrel is endangered and has been for some time. The
introduction of the grey squrrel (which just happens to be more
crap from america) is forcing the native red further north. It is
more agressive than the red and it also carries a virus which is
lethal to the red.
2006-12-23 00:13:36 · answer #4 · answered by MARGARET T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The radio program was probably referring to the Mount Graham red squirrel in Arizona. It is found only in a tiny part of a single mountain range, and was once believed to be extinct.
What can be done about it? Quit suppressing the wildfires that create squirrel habitat and quit building vaction homes and resorts in the few remaining places where the squirrel lives.
2006-12-21 05:06:45 · answer #5 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem for red Squirrels are their grey "brothers/sisters". The grey ones are bigger and more vicious. Also they eat their food and occupy their hiding places. And let me rectify some answers. They are NOT related to rats, as some of you are saying. Believe this from a rat lover. I got 10 of those critters at home, and I've been working with them for years and years. So don't put the rats in a bad light. The grey Squirrels came over from another place and just took over. So it is of no use to try and kill the grey ones. Everything has his place and reason on this earth. It's the humans who think they can control everything. Ed and his Rats.
2016-05-23 04:30:17 · answer #6 · answered by Ivette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Red Squirrel is protected in most of Europe, as it is listed in Appendix III of the Bern Convention; it is also listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. In some areas it is abundant and hunted for its fur. Although not thought to be under any threat worldwide, the Red Squirrel has drastically reduced in numbers in the United Kingdom. Under 200,000 individuals are thought to be left, approximately 70 to 75% of which are in Scotland. This population decrease is likely to be due to the introduction of the Eastern Grey Squirrel from North America as well as the loss and fragmentation of its native woodland habitat.
2006-12-20 23:04:44 · answer #7 · answered by The Storm Chaser 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes - the grey squirrel, which I think was brought here from America, is out competing our native red squirrel for space and now is also spreading a disease. We need to manage our forests with Red Squirrel in mind - plant the correct type of trees for them (not sure, think they like Larch and Scots Pine) and also control the grey squirrel population.
2006-12-20 23:02:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes. They have been endangered for years, ever since the Yanks introduced Grey Squirrels!
The Greys are more aggressive and took over the Reds habitat.
p.s. Americans...we are talking about the UK as this is the UK and Ireland site!!!
2006-12-20 23:02:16 · answer #9 · answered by puffy 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This is unfortunately true.
The reason is that the "greys", an alien species, are bigger and more aggressive than the red squirrel and are rapidly abducting the reds' natural habitat.
It is widely believed that the greys were introduced to the UK from America, but they were originally from Zeta Reticuli before colonising the US. You can find out more about them at:
2006-12-20 23:16:30 · answer #10 · answered by feeltherisingbuzz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋