Lifespan: 4 to 10 years
Size: 2½ inches high and 17 inches long including the tail
Weight: 10 ounces
Gestation period: 39 to 42 days
Litter size: 3 to 4 kits per litter, twice per year
Diet: Nuts, seeds, buds, tree sap, mushrooms, and insects
Habitat: Woodlands and forests
Conservation status: Near Threatened
-- Appearance:
> - Reddish-brown fur
> - White belly
> - Bushy tail
> - Large, dark eyes
> - Sharp claws for climbing trees
-- Behavior:
> - Active during the day
> - Solitary for the most part, except during breeding season
> - Highly territorial; fights with other squirrels to protect its territory
> - Builds nests out of twigs and leaves in trees
> - Very vocal; makes a variety of sounds to communicate with other squirrels
> - Very agile climbers; can jump from tree to tree with ease
> - Stores food for the winter in caches hidden in trees
-- Threats:
> - Habitat loss
> - Competition with non-native grey squirrels
> - Hunting
> - Disease
> - Climate change
-- Red squirrels are an important part of the ecosystem:
> - They help disperse tree seeds
> - They aerate the soil
> - They control insect populations
> - They are prey for other animals, such as hawks and owls
-- Red squirrels are a threatened species:
> - Their numbers have declined significantly due to habitat loss and competition with grey squirrels
> - Conservation efforts are underway to protect red squirrels