The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a North American rodent species from the family of squirrels (Sciuridae), which resembles the redbrown ones native to our country. However, as the name suggests, it is grey. With a body length of 30 cm and a tail length of 20 cm it is somewhat larger. The ears have no tufts of hair and the tail has white edges. Therefore it is easy to differ from our native squirrels, which are also available in a slightly greyish colour variation.
Grey squirrels are omnivores: nuts, acorns, seeds, tree bark and mushrooms as well as insects, frogs, young birds and birds' eggs and bones are on their menu. They live primarily in forests, but are also often found in parks and gardens.

Originally, the grey squirrel is native to North America. It can be described as keen to wander, unfavourable landscapes, rivers etc. hardly stop it from spreading. This happens today also on the European continent after grey squirrels held in captivity in Great Britain were set free about 145 years ago. And in Italy they were introduced as souvenirs at the end of the 1940s. They are immune to the pathogen that causes squirrel pox, unlike our native relatives.
Besides the struggle for food, this is another reason why the native red-brown squirrels are strongly displaced when the grey squirrel invades their habitat.

However, our American grey squirrel is a gentle representative of its species. It also likes to play with our native red-brown squirrels, sharing the drey with each other and running up and down the trees together.

Size: 18 cm (~ 7.1")
Colour: Brown
Filling: Special polyester fibes
Manufacturer: Kösener Spielzeug Manufaktur

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