Mammals Active during the day

Eurasian Red Squirrel

Sciurus vulgaris

iNaturalist Wikipedia

With its iconic winter ear tufts and bushy tail, the Eurasian Red Squirrel is the undisputed acrobat of the European canopy. This charismatic climber brings a flash of ginger energy to any backyard or woodland trail.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Body length 19–23 cm (7.5–9 in), tail 15–20 cm (6–8 in); weight 250–340 g (9–12 oz)

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Colors

Variable coat ranging from bright ginger and reddish-orange to dark chestnut or black; always features a creamy white underside.

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Key Features

Prominent ear tufts, especially visible in winter
Bushy, plume-like tail often as long as the body
Sharp, curved claws for expert climbing
Pure white underbelly contrasting with darker upper fur

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A generalist herbivore focusing on conifer seeds (spruce and pine), hazelnuts, and acorns. They also supplement their diet with tree bark, fungi, berries, and occasionally bird eggs or nestlings.

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Habitat Prefer coniferous forests but thrive in mixed woodlands, large parks, and suburban gardens with mature, seed-bearing trees.

Behavior

Eurasian Red Squirrels are highly active, arboreal mammals known for their incredible agility in the forest canopy. Unlike some other rodents, they do not hibernate; instead, they remain active year-round, though they may stay in their nests (called dreys) for several days during particularly harsh winter weather. They are 'scatter hoarders,' meaning they bury individual nuts or seeds in shallow holes across their territory to provide a food source during lean months.

While generally solitary and non-territorial, these squirrels live in overlapping home ranges and establish social hierarchies based on age and size. They are most active during the daylight hours, with peaks in the early morning and late afternoon. In areas where they are not persecuted, they can become quite bold around humans, frequently visiting garden bird feeders and showing a curious, though cautious, temperament.

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Camera Tips

To capture the best footage of a Eurasian Red Squirrel, position your camera 1.5 to 2 meters (5-6 feet) high on a tree trunk or a dedicated feeding post. These squirrels are most comfortable off the ground, so angling your camera slightly downward from a neighboring branch or trunk can provide a great 'eye-level' perspective of their climbing behavior. Ensure the camera is facing away from the direct morning sun to avoid overexposed images during their peak activity hours.

Using a lure is highly effective for this species. A specialized squirrel feeder filled with hazelnuts, walnuts, or sunflower seeds will keep them stationary long enough for clear photos. If you are using a trail camera in a more natural setting, look for 'feeding tables'—flat-topped stumps littered with stripped pine cones—as these are favorite recurring spots for squirrels to process their food.

Because squirrels are incredibly fast movers, set your camera to a 'Burst' or 'Multi-shot' mode with at least 3 photos per trigger. Use a high shutter speed if your camera allows it, or ensure the area is well-lit to prevent motion blur. If your camera has a video mode, 10-20 second clips are ideal for capturing their twitchy, energetic tail signals and grooming habits.

Seasonality matters for your shots. During autumn, they are most active on the ground as they bury nuts, providing a rare chance for low-angle shots. In winter, their iconic ear tufts are at their longest and most photogenic, making this the best time for close-up portraits. If you are in a region where Grey Squirrels are also present, focus your camera on higher, thinner branches where the lighter Red Squirrel is more likely to venture compared to its heavier cousin.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eurasian Red Squirrel.

Eastern Grey Squirrel

Much larger and heavier, lacks ear tufts, and has fur with white-fringed tail edges.

American Red Squirrel

Found only in North America; smaller than the Eurasian Red and lacks the long ear tufts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

They are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. You will typically see them at their busiest shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon before dusk.

The best way is to provide a consistent food source like hazelnuts, walnuts, or pine nuts in a squirrel-proof feeder. Planting native trees like Scots Pine or Hazel also provides natural food and nesting sites.

Their diet is centered on seeds from conifer cones, but they also love nuts, berries, fungi, and tree sap. They are known to hang fungi on branches to dry out for later consumption.

Yes, provided there are enough mature trees for nesting and travel. They are common in many European suburban gardens, though in the UK they are restricted to specific red-only strongholds.

Red squirrels are smaller, have distinctive long ear tufts (especially in winter), and have a uniform reddish-brown coat. Grey squirrels are larger, lack ear tufts, and usually have white-tipped fur on their tails.

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