About this guide
The UK has two established squirrel species: the native red squirrel and the introduced grey squirrel. They have different appearances, different habitat preferences, entirely different legal statuses, and you should never attempt to control a squirrel without correctly identifying which species you are dealing with. This guide covers how to tell them apart, the conservation status of each, and the legal implications of misidentification.
Misidentifying a squirrel species matters in the UK context because the legal implications are fundamentally different. The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) can be legally trapped and killed as an invasive pest species. The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a fully protected native species — deliberately killing, injuring, or disturbing a red squirrel, or destroying its drey, is a criminal offence under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 carrying an unlimited fine and up to six months' imprisonment.
In Sheffield and South Yorkshire, the vast majority of squirrels encountered will be grey squirrels — the red squirrel's range no longer extends to South Yorkshire. However, correct identification remains important professional practice, and understanding the differences between the two species helps property owners communicate confidently with pest controllers about what they have observed.
Grey Squirrel: Appearance and Distribution
The grey squirrel is a medium-sized rodent with a body length of 25 to 30 centimetres and a bushy tail of similar length, giving a total length of 45 to 60 centimetres. Adult body weight is typically 400 to 600 grams. Fur colouration is predominantly grey on the back and flanks, with a white or cream underside; many individuals have reddish-brown tipping on the fur of the back and haunches, particularly in summer coat, which can cause brief confusion with red squirrels. The ears are small and rounded without prominent tufts. The tail is grey with silver tips, giving it a distinctive frosted appearance in good light.
Grey squirrels are distributed across virtually all of England and Wales, most of lowland Scotland, and parts of Ireland. They are absent from the Scottish Highlands, some offshore islands, and managed buffer zones around remaining red squirrel populations. Their range continues to expand at the northern margins of their UK distribution. Melanistic (black) grey squirrels occur in localised populations in parts of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire — these are the same species as standard grey squirrels, not a separate taxon.
Reddish-brown tipping on a grey squirrel's back fur in summer can mislead observers into thinking they have seen a red squirrel. The key identification points are the ear tufts (absent in grey squirrels; prominent in red squirrels, especially in winter), overall body size (grey squirrels are substantially larger), and the tail colour (grey squirrels have grey-silver tails; red squirrels have russet to chestnut tails). If in doubt about species identification, contact a wildlife organisation before taking any action.
Red Squirrel: Appearance, Distribution, and Legal Protection
The red squirrel is noticeably smaller than the grey squirrel — body length 18 to 24 centimetres, body weight 270 to 340 grams. Fur colouration ranges from bright russet in summer coat to dark reddish-brown or even blackish-brown in winter coat, with a cream or off-white underside. The most reliable identification feature is the prominent ear tufts, which develop in autumn and are at their most conspicuous through winter — absent in summer coat, but even then the smaller overall body size distinguishes the species from the grey squirrel. The tail is reddish to chestnut, matching the body colour.
The red squirrel's UK range has contracted dramatically since the grey squirrel's introduction. Current strongholds are: the Scottish Highlands and islands (the largest population), Northumberland and the border forests, the Isle of White, Anglesey, and Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. The total UK population is estimated at around 120,000 — approximately 75% of which are in Scotland.
The UK red squirrel population has declined by approximately 95% since the grey squirrel was introduced in 1876. Competitive exclusion and squirrelpox virus transmission together have reduced the red squirrel's range from all of Britain to isolated northern and island populations.
— Red Squirrel Survival Trust, 2023
Legal Status: A Critical Difference
Grey squirrels are listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as an invasive non-native species. They can be legally trapped and killed using approved methods. Releasing a caught grey squirrel is an offence.
Red squirrels are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as a fully protected native species. It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, or take a red squirrel; to disturb a red squirrel while it is occupying a drey or other structure; to damage, destroy, or obstruct access to any structure a red squirrel uses for shelter or protection; or to possess a red squirrel (dead or alive) or any part of one, without a specific licence from Natural England or NatureScot. Any pest control action must be suspended immediately if a red squirrel is identified, and Natural England or NatureScot must be contacted for guidance.
Other Species
No other squirrel species is established in the UK wild. The Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) was formerly kept as a pet and some escaped individuals established temporary feral populations in parts of England, but there is no established wild breeding population. The American red squirrel, the black squirrel of North America, and various Asian squirrel species are occasionally reported as escapes from private collections but have not established breeding populations in the UK.
Professional pest controllers in Sheffield and South Yorkshire will confirm species identification before beginning any grey squirrel removal programme. In South Yorkshire, red squirrel presence is not expected, but professional practice requires that the identification is made and documented before control work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell a grey squirrel from a red squirrel?
The most reliable indicators are ear tufts (prominent in red squirrels, absent in grey squirrels) and body size (grey squirrels are substantially larger — 400 to 600 grams versus 270 to 340 grams for red squirrels). Reddish-brown tipping on a grey squirrel's summer coat can cause brief confusion, but grey squirrels have grey-silver tails while red squirrels have russet to chestnut tails. If in doubt, contact a wildlife organisation before taking any action.
Are red squirrels protected in the UK?
Yes. Red squirrels are fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Deliberately killing, injuring, or taking a red squirrel; disturbing one in its drey; or damaging or destroying a drey in use are all criminal offences carrying an unlimited fine and up to six months' imprisonment. If a red squirrel is identified during pest control work, all activity must stop immediately and Natural England or NatureScot contacted for guidance.
Where do red squirrels still live in the UK?
Red squirrel strongholds in the UK are the Scottish Highlands and islands (largest population), Northumberland and the border forests, the Isle of Wight, Anglesey, and Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour. The total UK population is estimated at around 120,000 — approximately 75% in Scotland. Red squirrels are absent from South Yorkshire and most of England outside managed conservation areas.
Are the black squirrels in the UK a different species?
No. Black squirrels in the UK are melanistic grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) — a colour variant of the grey squirrel caused by a specific gene mutation, not a separate species. They are found mainly in parts of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and have the same legal status as standard grey squirrels. They can be legally controlled under the same provisions that apply to grey squirrels generally.
What happens if I accidentally trap a red squirrel?
Stop all trapping activity immediately and do not disturb the animal further. Contact Natural England (in England) or NatureScot (in Scotland) for guidance on what to do with the caught animal. If the animal is unharmed, it may be possible to release it under professional supervision.
Deliberately killing a caught red squirrel, even if trapped accidentally, constitutes a Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 5 offence. Contact a professional pest controller for advice if this situation arises.
Can I tell what species a squirrel is from its droppings?
Not reliably. Grey squirrel and red squirrel droppings are similar in size, shape, and colour and cannot be reliably distinguished from each other without additional contextual information. Species identification should be made by direct observation of the animal. In South Yorkshire, where red squirrels do not occur, any squirrel droppings found will be from grey squirrels — but professional confirmation of species is good practice before control begins.
Is the red squirrel extinct in South Yorkshire?
Red squirrels no longer occur naturally in South Yorkshire. The species' range contracted out of most of England decades ago as grey squirrels expanded following their introduction. The nearest established red squirrel populations to Sheffield are in Northumberland and the border forests, which are intensively managed to exclude grey squirrels. There is no expectation of red squirrel presence in Sheffield or across South Yorkshire in pest control contexts.