David Element's Wildlife Web Page Mammals 9

David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

________________________________________________________________________________________________ Mammals 9 - Grey Squirrels

GREY SQUIRREL Sciurus carolinensis

GREY SQUIRRELS Sciurus carolinensis

Love them - or loathe them - Grey Squirrels Sciurus carolinensis would appear to be a permanent fixture in the British countryside following their artificial introduction to approximately thirty sites during the period between 1876 and 1929 (source Ref: 'Collins Field Guide Mammals of Britain and Europe' by David Macdonald and Priscilla Barrett). Paradoxically Grey Squirrels are amongst the most familiar of mammals to the British public as many native species are only active at night. These agile creatures are particularly conspicuous in suburban and parkland areas where they exploit food which has been provided for the birds. Indeed their capability is such that television programmes have been made about their problem-solving ability when faced with supposedly squirrel-proof bird feeders!