The Red Squirrel is native to England and can only be found in isolated places such as Thetford Forest in Norfolk, Furzey Islands in Pool Harbour, Northumberland, Cumbria, Dorset and Lancashire. Red Squirrels have reduced massively since the introduction of Grey Squirrels in 1876. Grey Squirrels are bigger and stronger than Red Squirrels and often win in battles to get food and space.

The Red Squirrel can easily be recognised by its chestnut coloured fur and long bushy tail. Its tail turns a white-cream colour in late summer. The throat, chest and belly of the Red Squirrel are always a white-cream colour. The Red Squirrel has small ears with long tufts of hair and it has small black eyes with white fur around them.

Red Squirrels can be found in and near trees. They are skilful climbers and can even hang upside down from trees. They like to sleep high up in trees in nests called ‘dreys’. Dreys are made out of twigs and sticks and are lined with leaves, moss, grass and bark. Sometimes Red Squirrels make their homes in tree hollows which have been made by woodpeckers. These homes are called ‘dens’.