Grey Squirrel (UK)
Sciurus carolinensis
moderate risk
other
Overview
North American gray squirrel that is highly invasive in UK and Europe, devastating native red squirrel populations and causing forest damage.
Same as North American gray squirrel - gray coat with white undersides, 25-30cm body, bushy tail.
Prevention Strategies
- •Do not feed grey squirrels
- •Support red squirrel conservation areas
- •Report sightings in red squirrel zones
Control Methods
- •Legal lethal control in UK to protect red squirrels and forests
- •Contraceptive bait (GonaCon) being trialed
- •Exclude from specific areas with guards and baffles
- •Contraceptive and trapping programs in red squirrel strongholds
Interesting Facts
- •Red squirrel population has collapsed from 3.5 million to 120,000 since grey squirrel introduction in UK
- •Grey squirrels carry squirrelpox virus - harmless to grey squirrel but fatal to red squirrel
- •UK government has spent millions on grey squirrel control programs
- •Pine martens are natural predators being reintroduced to control grey squirrel populations