10 FUN FACTS ABOUT SQUIRRELS

During the winter food for squirrels can be a bit scarce… especially if it snows or the ground is frozen. So show your appreciation for these cute furry friends by putting out some nuts and seeds in your garden, or heading to the local park to feed them. They are often so tame they’ll come very close if you keep still.

We’ve also created a gallery of lovely images of our squirrel friends (images courtesy of Alamy), as well as some fun facts and trivia for the whole family to enjoy!

 

 

1. There are 278 species of squirrel in the world. They are native to every continent except Australia and Antarctica

 

 

2. Squirrel species are grouped into three broad categories: ground squirrels (which includes chipmunks, marmots, and groundhogs); tree squirrels; and flying squirrels

 

 

3. However, only four types of squirrel live in the UK; red, grey, black and the extremely rare ‘black-reds’ or ‘brunettes’ which are dark brown or black in colour but have the body shape of a red squirrel

 

 

4. The tail of squirrels acts like a parachute and provides balance

 

 

5. The collective name for a group of squirrels is a ‘scurry’

 

 

6. When squirrels are frightened they run back and forth and in different directions to confuse their predators

 

 

7. Flying squirrels can’t fly like birds but they can glide between trees

 

 

8. Flying squirrels have been known to glide for distances of up to 90 metres (295ft)

 

 

9. Squirrels like to eat nuts, fruits, seeds, tree bark, roots, insects and caterpillars

 

 

10. A squirrels eyes are high on their head and placed on each side close to their ears so they can see a large amount of their surroundings without having to turn their head

 

All images courtesy of Alamy.