Early spring is the hardest time for squirrels to find food because buried nuts are lost or begin to sprout and are no longer available for the squirrel to eat and the new season food is not yet available. During these times, squirrels rely heavily on the buds of trees and this can be quite destructive so it’s a really good time to feed them.
Squirrel benefit from all year round feeding to supplement their natural food source.
Mr Johnson’s Wildlife SQUIRREL FOOD will be loved by the squirrels and help them get that extra nutrition they require especially when natural foods scarce.
Squirrels eat a diet largely made up of nuts, seeds, grains, berries and fruit depending on the time of year and local food availability. Watching squirrels feed and explore the garden is very entertaining. If you also feed the birds to help reduce the risk of them becoming a nuisance as they can vandalise your bird feeders, it is best to feed them in another area of the garden and place their food in a specially designed squirrel feeding station to keep them occupied for longer.
There are three species of squirrel found in Britain, the Native Red squirrel, the grey & black squirrel both introduced from North America.
The number of red squirrels has declined in recent years, which has led to them becoming protected by law.
The red squirrel as the name suggests, has red fur but the colouring can vary from ginger through to dark brown. They have large bushy tails and develop large tufts on their ears during the winter months.
The grey squirrel is larger than the red squirrel in size and numbers found, their grey fur can be tinged with red and yellow and they have more rounded ears than the red Squirrel and do not develop ear tufts.
The black squirrel is the same species as the grey and population numbers are growing in certain areas of the UK.
- Red Squirrels despite their name can have coats ranging from black to chestnut or light brown on their backs, with white undersides. They have distinctive ear tufts.
- Grey squirrels have grey fur with touches of russet-brown and white underparts. Unlike the red squirrel, this species never has ear tufts
- The Red squirrel is native to Britain, Grey and Black squirrels were introduced from North America
- Grey and black squirrels have twice the body mass of the red squirrel.
- Squirrels have 4 fingers and five toes
- Squirrels often produce two litters a year
- Squirrels are surprisingly good swimmers.
- Squirrels do not hibernate over winter, but may be less active when weather conditions are bad.