Do Grey Squirrels have any good points?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Pete

correct me if I'm wrong BUT wasn't there an introduction of reds into the UK at one point? 19th century I think. So some of our reds are of recent European stock.

I don't remember the details, but I have also read about continental Red Squirrels having been introduced, so not all of those in UK are our native form.

[henrya]

Originally Posted by smartie

Lighten my darkness, henrya. What are the essential differences between the native and introduced reds that I should look out for next time I'm lucky enough to see either?

In the native subspecies, the tail and the ear tufts moult and regrow in the autumn to a blackish brown, and very quickly begin to bleach, so by early summer the following year they are almost white - I don't think I have seen this in any of the photos here. Of course, this won't show on freshly moulted ones, but the continental squirrels are either a lot redder or a lot darker than British ones. British Red Squirrels tend to moult to brownish-grey body fur in autumn, and to red body fur in spring, with whitish undersides (the body fur moults twice a year, the tail and ear fur only once). There has been interbreeding between the native subspecies and the continental subspecies in many places, so many of the genes are mixed up, and you get gradations in colouring. Not a simple business!

henrya

[WithNature]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

It strikes me as rather crass to debate whether an organism has good points or not+ whether they should be eliminated or not. They are not here for our benefit!

I 100% agree. Oh, and theyre cute sitting there nibbling away at their nuts. Perhaps a follow up essay could be about your biology teacher or syllabus? Seriously though, good luck with your studies.