Britain has two species, the Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). 

Grey squirrels were introduced in the 19th century from North America and are now more numerous than the native red squirrel. Adults weigh between 350g to 600g and are 25cm to 30cm in length not including a tail of about 20-25cm.

Red squirrels are smaller, lighter, have ear tufts and are more prominent in their winter coat with brown on the legs and tail. Their natural habitats are wooded areas in tree cavities, they can also be near hardwoods like oaks and hickory trees.

Squirrels are diurnal omnivores meaning they come out in the day and will eat a varied diet of nuts, fruits, buds, new shoots, tree bark, leaves, roots, fungi and also will raid bird’s nests for eggs and chicks.

Females produce a litter of usually 3 young in the spring or summer (occasionally both) after a gestation period of 42-45 days. The young are weaned after 10 weeks and are independent at 16 weeks. Some live up to 9 years in the wild although most only manage 2-4 years.

You may also find that squirrels can make quite a nuisance of themselves. Inquisitive creatures they are agile and bold, they can learn how to raid a bird table and may dig holes in the lawn to hide the food they have stolen. More seriously, they frequently enter domestic roof spaces. Once inside they strip insulation from electrical wiring and water pipes,chew woodwork, tear up fiberglass insulation and, occasionally, drown in water tanks. they can find their way into roof spaces either by climbing the walls or leaping across from a nearby tree where they can be very destructive.