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Why Are Red Squirrels So Threatened In The UK?

Once one of the most widespread and common woodland creatures in the country, red squirrels are now seldom seen in many parts of the UK as numbers have declined significantly over the past century. Still commonly found in isolated regions and throughout the European continent, one of our most historically iconic native species is becoming increasingly threatened in the UK due to a number of factors but most notably with the introduction of grey squirrels from America.
Red squirrels are a highly distinctive squirrel species and are easily recognised by their dark to bright red fur, long ear tufts and fluffy tails. They are relatively small in size compared to grey squirrels and can be found inhabiting coniferous and deciduous woodlands from the UK and Northern Ireland, throughout Europe and as far east as northwest China. They mainly ingest plant materials such as seeds, green acorns, fungi and hazelnuts as well as occasionally consuming eggs and small birds.