Grey squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
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Photo credit: ©GBNNSS
Sciurus carolinensis
Habitat:
Widely Spread Species:
Origin and Distribution:
Impacts:
How did it get here?
Is it found in Ireland or Northern Ireland?
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for prevention:
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 03 August 2016)
Sciurus carolinensis
Habitat:
- The species preferred habitat is mature woodlands with a diverse understory however; in Ireland the species is common in agricultural lands, planted forests, scrub or shrublands, and urban areas.
Widely Spread Species:
- Under Article 19 of Invasive Alien Species Regulation (1143/2014) Grey squirrel has been identified as a Widely Spread Species in Northern Ireland and as such, management measures have been put in place to minimise its impacts.
Description:
- The grey squirrel is a larger tree squirrel than the native red squirrel. It has a distinctive long bushy tail and characteristic short front legs.
- Colouration is known to vary with some specimens displaying ‘chestnut’ markings on paws, hips and face which can lead to misidentification. In winter the species displays a thick winter grey/silver coat on the upper side of the body with a white under side.
- The total length of these squirrels ranges from 430-500 mm, tail length ranges from tail 210-240 mm, and generally is 400-710 g. in weight.
Origin and Distribution:
- Originated from North America but was introduced to Europe to ‘improve’ diversity of estates in the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Impacts:
- Grey squirrel is considered the main threat to the endangered and protected red squirrel
- They out compete the red for space and food and are also a known vector for the Parapox virus which can be fatal to red squirrels
- Grey squirrels also cause economic loss to forestry plantations by stripping the bark of trees which can lead to tree die off
How did it get here?
- Deliberate release
Is it found in Ireland or Northern Ireland?
- Grey squirrels are found in most areas of Northern Ireland.
- More distribution information can be seen at the NBN Atlas NI.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Methods for prevention:
- This species is very widespread across the island of Ireland, and total eradication is unlikely
- Grey squirrel control is being concentrated in areas where there is the greatest chance that reds can be re-established
- Focus remains on humanely controlling the species to prevent the spread of damage to habitats and other wildlife
- Report all sightings to CEDaR
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 03 August 2016)
- This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.
NIEA ID Guide Sciurus carolinensis Grey squirrel