18 BBC WILDLIFE December 2021
B
ritain and Ireland’s native red squirrels are now at their most
photogenic. Though they have adorable ear tufts all year, these
become longer and even more extravagantly fluffy in winter, after
the autumn moult. Despite their name, the squirrels’ coat colour
may vary a great deal, from brick-red to dark brown, often with
blonde highlights in the ears or tail.
GETTING AN EARFUL
A red squirrel’s ear
tufts can reach up
to 3cm long