Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

 Red Squirrels are largely vegetarian, eating mainly conifer seeds  (spruce, pine and larch), beech mast, hazel cobs and acorns. Acorns are  not easily digested - see Grey Squirrel below and also habitats.

 Soil and tree bark is also eaten for roughage and minerals.

Supplementary sources, either seasonally or in times of food shortage, are berries, fungus, bark and sap tissue. Very occasionally their diet will include birds and eggs.

Bark stripping by Red Squirrels is much less aggressive than by Greys, is usually directed at Scots pine and high up in the last 10 years of growth.

Daily food consumption is about 5% of body weight.

Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

 Grey Squirrel diets are similar to that of the Red but Greys may be  considered omnivores as they are more likely to include insects and bird eggs.

 They will thrive in Oak and broadleaf woodlands as they are better at  digesting large seeds such as acorns and hazel cobs. More about this in  the habitats page.

Greys are destructive feeders due to their habit of stripping bark, which will often ring and kill younger trees. Older trees are weakened and become susceptible to disease and wind damage.

Daily food consumption is up to about 10% of body weight.