UK Wildlife - Squirrels Trivia Quiz

Answer: Grey

The grey squirrel is great at adapting to different circumstances. It has thrived in many areas of Great Britain. Figures from www.wildlifetrust.org.uk are "the total number of red squirrels in the UK is estimated at 161,000. Of these only 30,000 are in England, 121,000 in Scotland and 10,000 in Wales.

This compares with a grey squirrel population for the UK of around 2,520,000, with around 2 million in England. In England that means the red is outnumbered 66:1.

Answer: Drey

A drey is a platform of twigs in the high branches of a tree, usually higher than 5 metres. The twigs are used to construct a little hollow which is filled with soft bedding materials. The drey (or den as it is sometimes called), can also be a hidey hole in the trunk of a hollow tree. Again the hole is lined with soft mosses and leaves to create a warm safe place for the squirrel to retreat to.

Answer: Sciurus vulgaris

Sciurus carolinensis is the grey squirrel which was introduced into the UK, sciurus niger is the fox squirrel (or Eastern fox squirrel) which can be found in Texas, and sciurus igniventris is the Northern Amazon red squirrel.

Answer: All of these

They also have whiskers in their tail (and on their heads and feet) which work like cat's whiskers and prevent the squirrel from bumping into things. This is invaluable as the squirrels may have to move at high speed and have treacherous treetop homes.

Answer: Red squirrels make a tasty traditional Sunday roast in the UK

Loss of habitat and food go hand in hand. There is much less forest in the UK than in the 19th century when the grey was introduced, and this has caused the red to retreat. The red is much lighter than the grey and spends much of its time in the forest canopy and feeds there.

It gains most energy from pine cones, but will eat any tree seed. Greys can live in trees, but also live on the ground and can feed there - this means their diet is much more diverse (they eat fungi, flowers and green shoots as well as tree seeds) and has aided their adaptation. Red squirrels are susceptible to the parapox virus, but so far the grey seems immune, but may be a carrier.

Answer: They peel off tree bark

By ripping the bark from trees the squirrels leave them open to insect and fungal attack. The bark also transports nutrients throughout the tree, and when it is gone the top of the tree dies. Quite a bit of damage has been done by grey squirrels, especially to Beech and Hornbeam trees.

Although squirrels can pass on fleas to your dog, they are much more likely to get an infestation from a local cat! Squirrels are partial to the odd flower bulb, but would not eat enough to cause any real harm to your garden. Rabies is very rare in Britain, one of the benefits of being an island nation! In 2002 there was a human rabies case in Scotland caused by a bat which had flown in from mainland Europe.

Answer: 1876

The grey was released into woodlands by Victorians, and no-one really knows why. The original release site was in Cheshire, but there were at least a further 28 sites throughout the UK. The largest populations of surviving squirrels are in Ireland, Cumbria (I have spotted reds in the Lake District) and the Scottish Highlands.

There are smaller populations on the Isle of Wight and Brownsea Island which are just off of the South Coast of England. In 2003 there is evidence that the red may be returning to Yorkshire due to planting of diverse woodland and the use of special feeders.

The feeders have a trap door which dumps the heavier grey squirrels unceremoniously from a platform. Only the pride of the squirrel is hurt! The food is still available for the slender red squirrel and supplements their diet when needed.

Answer: Parapox

The parapox virus is very similar to myxomatosis which has affected rabbit populations all over the world. Only red squirrels are affected by the virus in the UK. The grey squirrel may be a carrier of the virus, but does not seem adversely affected. Whether the greys pass on the disease is a matter for debate since records of parapox date back to 1227, long before the grey arrived.

Answer: False

In the red and grey species, both male and female squirrels become reproductively active around January and February. Most litters will be born in March and April, and if there is plenty of food around second litters would be born in July. Young squirrels are called kittens, and when they are first born they are bald and blind. Within 6-8 weeks they are miniature versions of their parents.

Answer: True

Even during winter months squirrels do not hibernate - they will still be seen scurrying about most days searching for food. Greys have caches everywhere and somehow know how to find them. Reds seem to rely more on luck.