Leucisitic Red Squirrels

[Bob Fryer]

I have heard of many cases of Grey Squirrels with albino or leucistic pelage, but last winter I had a leucistic Red Squirrel in my garden here in Perthshire. I managed a quick picture (not as sharp as I would have wished, though) which showed it had dark eyes and just a pale hint of ginger at the base of the tail. Otherwise it was pure white. No one to whom I have shown this had heard of a white Red squirrel before, so I am interested to know if anyone else has encountered any. This individual appeared a few more times then vanished, but may have moved up to a neighbour's ground. I tried to post the picture to the Gallery, but obviously did something wrong as I cannot trace it

[Beekeeper]

Never heard of that either Bob although albino Greys are fairly common, i am sure someone will say albino reds are also quite common but due to limited numbers, i would be a bit suprised if they were.

Welcome to WAB

Ian

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Never heard of that either Bob although albino Greys are fairly common, i am sure someone will say albino reds are also quite common but due to limited numbers, i would be a bit suprised if they were.

Welcome to WAB

Ian

I'm not sure I'd describe albino Grey Squirrels as fairly common. I live in a high density Grey area + travel a lot + have never seen one in my life- only in photos/screen.

[Bob Fryer]

Ian,
This squirrel was definitely not an albino, since albinism would have caused it to be completely white, and to have pinkish eyes. I believe the appropriate term would be "leucism" i.e. the opposite of melanism, which is, I understand, quite common in Red Squirrels. My nearest neighbour (500m. away!) who, like me, feeds the Reds and culls the Greys, has reported seeing a white one with just a touch of colour in the tail, but whether this is the same individual, a sibling, or offspring we cannot say. I must have another go at uploading that picture!

Thanks for the welcome! Bob

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I'm not sure I'd describe albino Grey Squirrels as fairly common. I live in a high density Grey area + travel a lot + have never seen one in my life- only in photos/screen.

I havrn't seen any recently aeshna5 but at one time there were quite a number scattered around my area.


Ian

[mbaldw]

Hi Bob,

white individuals are known from both species, although they seem far less common in Sciurus vulgaris than in S. carolinensis. In his appraisal of the Red squirrel in Mammalian Species, Peter Lurz wrote:

"Black or melanistic squirrels found in continental Europe are rare in the United Kingdom, as are albino forms."

In her book Squirrels Jessica Holms notes:

"black or melanistic red squirrels are very rare, but pale and even white ones, sometimes albinos, occur quite regularly."

None of the papers in the scientific literature that I have come across have included albino/leucistic pelts of Red squirrels. Coat colour in rodents is under genetic control, so white individuals can become fairly numerous in local populations, provided there's a selective advantage to the condition (e.g. in Ontario, Canada). Having said that, white squirrels tend not to build up considerable numbers without human assistance, because they are more easily spotted by predators and get picked off.

Hopefully, you'll sort out the photo uploading, as I'd love to take a look.

Cheers,
Marc.

[Bob Fryer]

My white Red Squirrel picture did appear in the "Identified Mammals" section, if anyone wishes to view it. I don't know yet if I can post it on the Forum, as I'm still trying to find my way around the website. (Slow Learner!)

Re albino grey squirrels, I have heard reports of some around the Botanic gardens in Edinburgh recently.

[davecatt]

Hi Bob I was sure I'd seen your pic recently so I did a search for White Squirrel
and copied the link for you

Leucistic Red Squirrel - Wild About Britain Pics

Dave

[Bob Fryer]

Thanks for that, Dave. Most useful! Perhaps some day I'll overcome my technical incompetence and be able to do it for myself!

[Bob Fryer]

Originally Posted by mbaldw

Hi Bob,

white individuals are known from both species, although they seem far less common in Sciurus vulgaris than in S. carolinensis. In his appraisal of the Red squirrel in Mammalian Species, Peter Lurz wrote:

"Black or melanistic squirrels found in continental Europe are rare in the United Kingdom, as are albino forms."

In her book Squirrels Jessica Holms notes:

"black or melanistic red squirrels are very rare, but pale and even white ones, sometimes albinos, occur quite regularly."

None of the papers in the scientific literature that I have come across have included albino/leucistic pelts of Red squirrels. Coat colour in rodents is under genetic control, so white individuals can become fairly numerous in local populations, provided there's a selective advantage to the condition (e.g. in Ontario, Canada). Having said that, white squirrels tend not to build up considerable numbers without human assistance, because they are more easily spotted by predators and get picked off.

Hopefully, you'll sort out the photo uploading, as I'd love to take a look.

Cheers,
Marc.

Thank you, Marc. Perhaps leucistic Red Squirrels were more commonly encountered in the days of higher populations, but no experienced observers of my acquaintance had come across them before. Here, in Southern Perthshire, we still have a fairly healthy population, although Greys are constantly encroaching. I agree that white colouration can hardly be a favourable mutation with so many predators around! I did note, on the few occasions when I saw this individual, that it tended to hide more often in the thick ivy on tree trunks than the other Reds, which would be a good survival strategy for such a vulnerable individual. In recent years, Pine Martens have been spreading South from Highland Perthshire, and, although this may be a desirable development in its own way, it is hardly good news for the squirrels - especially white ones!