Red squirrel in Polissia
Sciurus vulgaris
The red squirrel is a small rodent with a bushy tail and ear tufts, especially noticeable in winter. Its colour ranges from bright red to dark brown, with a pale belly.
In Polissia the red squirrel lives in pine and mixed forests, in parks and on old estates. It is easy to see on the nature trails of Shatsk, Mezyn and other national parks of Polissia.
The squirrel builds round nests, called dreys, from twigs or settles in tree hollows. It eats pine and spruce seeds, acorns, nuts and mushrooms, which it dries on branches. Under the trees lie “trimmed” cones from which it has gnawed out the seeds. The squirrel does not hibernate, but in hard frosts it may stay in its nest for a long time.
Do not feed squirrels bread or anything salty – it is better not to feed them at all, or to put unsalted seeds and nuts in a feeder.
When to see: all year; easiest in autumn and winter
Where it was seen in Polissia
Observations from the open scientific database GBIF since 1990.
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