Europe is home to a diverse range of squirrel species, including both native and introduced populations. Their presence varies geographically, with different types thriving in specific habitats, from dense forests to open grasslands and urban environments.
Native European Squirrels
Europe is home to several native squirrel species, with the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) being the most widespread. This arboreal rodent is recognizable by its red-brown fur, which can vary by region, and its distinctive ear tufts, especially prominent in winter. Red squirrels live in trees, constructing nests known as dreys from twigs, moss, and leaves in coniferous and broadleaf woodlands across Europe and northern Asia. They are herbivorous, feeding on seeds, nuts, fruits, and fungi, and are active during the day.
Beyond the well-known red squirrel, Europe also hosts various native ground squirrel species, such as the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus), also known as the European souslik. These small rodents have round bodies, short tails, and yellowish-grey fur tinged with red. European ground squirrels are colonial animals that create extensive underground burrow systems in open steppe grasslands. They are found in central and southeastern Europe, including:
- Austria
- The Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Slovakia
- Serbia
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Ukraine
- Greece
Introduced Squirrel Species
Europe has experienced the introduction of several non-native squirrel species, primarily from North America and Asia. The most impactful is the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), originally from North America. These squirrels were first introduced to England in 1876, spreading across Great Britain by the early to mid-20th century. Grey squirrels were also introduced to continental Europe, notably in Italy in 1948, often as pets or for ornamental purposes.
Grey squirrels are typically larger than red squirrels, with a grey coat and white underside. They are adaptable omnivores, consuming seeds, fruits, and buds, thriving in various habitats, including urban parks and woodlands.
Another introduced species is the Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), which arrived in Europe from South Korea as part of the pet trade in the 1960s. Many escaped or were released, establishing isolated wild populations in suburban forests and urban parks across:
- Belgium
- France
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Italy
- The Netherlands
Mapping Squirrel Presence Across Europe
The distribution of squirrel species across Europe today reflects both their native ranges and the spread of introduced populations. The Eurasian red squirrel remains widespread across northern and eastern Europe, thriving in coniferous forests and maintaining populations in:
- Scandinavia
- The Baltic states
- Poland
- Germany
- France
However, their populations are fragmented and reduced where grey squirrels are prevalent, such as the British Isles and parts of Italy.
The eastern grey squirrel has established strongholds in the United Kingdom and Ireland, largely displacing native red squirrels. On mainland Europe, their presence is mainly concentrated in Italy, particularly the Piedmont region, with slowly expanding populations.
European ground squirrels are restricted to Central and Southeastern Europe, inhabiting open grasslands from the Czech Republic and Austria through the Balkans to Ukraine and Turkey. Their populations are declining in many areas due to habitat loss. Isolated populations of Siberian chipmunks are also found in various European countries, often near urban areas where they were released or escaped.
The Interplay of Species
The introduction of non-native squirrel species has significantly altered the ecological dynamics for Europe’s native squirrels. The eastern grey squirrel poses a considerable challenge to the native Eurasian red squirrel, primarily through competitive exclusion and disease transmission. Grey squirrels are more efficient at foraging for food sources like acorns and can digest unripe broadleaf seeds, giving them a competitive advantage. This competition often leads to reduced growth, lower reproductive success, and displacement of red squirrel populations.
A more devastating factor is the squirrelpox virus, which grey squirrels carry asymptomatically but is fatal to red squirrels. When introduced into a red squirrel population, mortality rates can be very high, leading to rapid declines and local extinctions.
Conservation efforts across Europe focus on managing grey squirrel populations to protect native red squirrels, often involving control measures and habitat management. These initiatives aim to prevent further spread of grey squirrels and create safe havens for red squirrels to thrive.