Eurasian Red Squirrel Facts
- This gorgeous creation of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by the descriptive and informative common name of Eurasian Red Squirrel. Yet, in many parts of the animal’s territory, it’s also sometimes simply called by the shorter title of the Red Squirrel.
- Inside of many scientific circles, however, it’s perhaps significantly better known by its technical title. Thankfully, that’s a comparatively easy term for the average layperson to pronounce. That’s because the lovely animal holds the official moniker of the Sciurus vulgaris.
- The beautiful creature received that short appellation due to the efforts of Carl Linnnaeus himself. The eminent Swedish zoologist accomplished the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He manged that scientifically noteworthy deed in the year 1758.
- Research indicates that the numbers of this marvel of Nature recently declined dramatically. Many experts attribute that to the introduction of a related species from another part of the world into its range. For the moment, its numbers do seem to be stabilizing, though.
- Fortunately, despite this situation, its overall population appears to still be sufficient. Even with the recent developments, that condition also seems to hold true in most sections of its range. The IUCN thus still lists the natural wonder as Least Concern on its published Red List.
- The small rodent nevertheless continues to face multiple, ever-increasing threats to its continued existence as a species. Most of these dangers stem from the actions of mankind. These perils include the closely related threats of habitat loss and ongoing climate change.
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Eurasian Red Squirrel Physical Description
This breathtaking small mammal almost instantly captures the attention and interest of those fortunate enough to encounter it. Like its many relatives situated around the world, though, it typically does so more for its appearance, than because of any impressive measurements.
In terms of dimensions and outward form, it follows a pattern shared by those related species. That’s in the fact that, unlike many species, it displays no noticeable degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. Telling the sexes apart can be difficult for the observer.
Overall, individuals of both genders of this marvelous animal attain average head-and-body lengths equaling approximately 7.5 – 9 in (19 – 23 cm). The tail also adds an extra mean length of 6 – 8 in (15 – 20 cm). It’s therefore slightly smaller than the Eastern Gray Squirrel in the United States.
Weights for both sexes of the beautiful creature also remains roughly equal, at least as a general principle. During pregnancy, however, females understandably exceed that temporarily. Otherwise, an average mass for fully mature adults measures around 0.56 – 0.75 lb (0.25 – 0.34 kg).
It’s the color of the aptly-named Eurasian Red Squirrel that usually garners the most interest among its admirers, though. Yet, despite the implications of the name, the animal isn’t always red in color. This pecific aspect varies in color due to both season of the year and geographical location.
Between these different factors, however, a certain range nonetheless remains prevalent. The shades it manifests on the back, sides, and head run from the namesake red, the most common, to as dark as black! Regardless of which of these appear, though, the stomach always shows an of-white.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Sciuridae
- Genus: Sciurus
- Species: S. vulgaris
Eurasian Red Squirrel Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The beautiful Eurasian Red Squirrel evolved as native to a moderately large expanse of the surface of the earth. The location of that general zone of habitation isn’t surprising to many people, though. After all, the very name of this biological masterpiece indicates where that territory lies.
As implied, the awesome creature developed as endemic to a certain portion of both Europe and Asia. On the continent of Europe, the eye-catching rodent lives across most of its expanse. In Asia, though, it primarily appears in the more northerly parts of that particular part of its native range.
The remarkable fauna displays a decidedly strong degree of flexibility regarding its choice of habitat type. That’s true since it’s well known to inhabit multiple different ecosystems in various parts of the overall range. This high level of adaptability represents a powerful evolutionary advantage.
In both southern and western Europe, it mainly lives in areas of coniferous forests. These allow for a good mixture of shrubs and trees. In northern Europe and parts of Asia, however, the rodent often lives inside of coniferous forests. Here, it shows a clear preference for several types of pines.
The amazing Eurasian Red Squirrel developed as principally solitary in terms of its nature. The exceptions to this mostly consist of breeding season and occasionally sharing a nest for warmth in winter. These small, dome-shaped nests the animal generally constructs in the forks of trees.
The lovely mammal also evolved as almost entirely herbivorous in its dietary preferences. It principally consumes various seeds, nuts, berries, flowers, shoots, and even tree sap. Yet, on rare occasions, it’s even known to feed on the eggs of birds, or even on the young hatchlings.
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