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• Larger than the UK’s native red squirrel, grey squirrels have grey fur with touches of russet-brown and white underparts. Unlike the red squirrel, this species never has ear tufts, and the sexes are similar in appearance.

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        Life Cycle

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• Breeding takes place in late february and march and again from june to july. If conditions are favourable, females reproduce 1 – 2 times a year producing 1 – 5 offspring per litter. The average lifespan of female grey squirrels is 4 – 6 years while their male counterparts have a shorter life expectancy of 2 – 3 years.

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        Habitat

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• A highly adaptable species, the grey squirrel prefers broadleaved woodlands usually occurring in conifer woodlands and urban areas such as gardens and parks – where mature trees are found.

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• It is important to note that it is a criminal offence to re-release a captured grey squirrel back into the wild as responsible pest and predator control is an integral part of conservation and wildlife management.​

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