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| Appearance: |
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Head and body length: 25-26.5cm. |
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Weight (adult): about 500gm.- |
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Tail length: around 22cm |
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Grey fur with large bushy tails |
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| Lifecycle: |
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Squirrels breed around February/March and occasionally again in June/July time. |
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They can have 1 - 3 litters a year and around 1 - 7 young per litter. |
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The gestation periods last around 45 days, weaned after 8 - 10 weeks. |
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Capable of breeding at around 7 months but on average this takes place at around 10 - 12 months. |
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In the wild less than 1% lives for more than 6 years but have they have been known to live to 8 or 9 years. |
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| Habits & Behaviour: |
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Squirrels are commonly found in deciduous and mixed woodlands, they are also found in hedgerows, banking, gardens, trees and farms. |
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Dreys (nests) are compact and sphere-shaped. 30-60cm in diameter and surrounded by twigs, dry leaves and grass inside. |
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Squirrels feed on acorns, tree shoots, flowers, nuts, fruits, roots and cereals. Food is eaten at ground level. |
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Their range covers 2-10 hectares and they bury spare food 2-5cm below the soil or in tree hollows. |
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They are diurnal, active before sunrise and after sunset. |
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The peak of activity is in the autumn. |
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| Important: |
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Squirrels can nest in lofts, wall cavities, and the void in-between false walls. |
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By gnawing they can damage tree bark and the fabric of buildings. |
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Grey squirrels are widespread and not protected in the UK. |
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