At Kelling Heath we are pleased to have captive Red Squirrels, which are part of a national scheme for captive breeding. The aim of this scheme is to set up a reserve of animals for use in controlled and closely monitored release projects.
Latest news…
David Stapleford at Fakenham, who has been studying the ecology and breeding of Red Squirrels for many years, bred the pair we have. So far they have been a successful pair having bred over the past 3 years. Already this year they have produced an early litter of 2 males, these will be moved to another enclosure off park at about 12 weeks of age with the hope that our pair will then produce a second litter for the year.
About the Red Squirrel
Identification
Red squirrels are considerably smaller and more delicate looking than the Grey Squirrel. Their coats are a chestnut red colour with pale undersides compared with the peppered grey colour of the Grey Squirrel.
Habitat
Red Squirrels are particularly associated with large areas of Scots Pine woodland. Red Squirrels spend most of their time in the treetops collecting food and using branches as aerial route ways. The Grey Squirrel, being larger and so not so agile, spends most of the time on the ground. Both build nests, called dreys, usually in the fork of a tree.
Food
Their primary food source is pinecones. A pinecone contains about 30 seeds, tightly packed beneath the cone scales. A squirrel is likely to get through 20,000 to 40,000 cones in a year! Red Squirrels also eat seeds from other trees, such as acorns and hazelnuts, fungi, buds and tree sap. We also feed our squirrels apple, carrots and peanuts.
Breeding
Female Red Squirrels tend to produce one litter a year with an average of 3 young, though it is possible for a female to have 2 litters in a year and up to 6 young in a litter. Gestation is just over 5 weeks; the young are born hairless, blind, deaf and totally helpless. By the time they venture outside the drey at 7 weeks of age they look like small versions of adult red squirrels.
Decline
Red Squirrels were once the only Squirrel living in Britain. It is only relatively recently, that they have declined to such low levels. The exact reasons for the Red Squirrels decline are still not certain, and research is currently being carried out. It is thought that the incredibly successful introduction of the Grey Squirrel, from America in the 1880’s, is largely to blame. It is known that the Parapox virus killed large numbers of Red Squirrels, but the Greys seem to be immune to it. Greys tend to survive better, producing more young, effectively forcing Reds out of an area, though they do not actually fight. Reds continue to flourish in the absence of Greys, such as on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, the Isle of Wight and a few places in the north of England & Scotland.
Future
Red Squirrels are still losing ground in Britain whilst Greys continue to spread – so what of the future? There is a real possibility of Red Squirrels becoming extinct on the mainland, with small populations restricted to isolated islands. The Red Squirrels we have in the enclosure at Kelling Heath are part of a national breeding programme. If breeding is successful the offspring will help in the study & conservation of the species in Britain.
Links:
Red Squirrels.co.uk This site provides a selection of facts about the red squirrel, its plight and a variety of resources devoted to groups who are devoted to promoting one of Britain’s most rare and beautiful mammals.
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