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Grey/red squirrel hybrids?

  • 12-03-2019 12:35PM
    #1
    dogmatix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,404 ✭✭✭


    Do gray and red squirrels interbreed? While walking along the slang river in Dundrum yesterday lunchtime, I spotted a grey squirrel on a branch munching on a pine cone. As I approached he turned his back to me and moved further up the tree – it was then I noticed that the hair on his back and top of the head was a distinct reddish hue – the rest of him was standard grey, and he was the size of a grey also. I dont think it was a trick of the light as it was cloudy and dull at that time.


Comments

  • #2
    Alun
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 21,530 ✭✭✭✭Alun


    Grey squirrels often have some red colouration in them.


  • #3
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    They are actually not closely related and belong to different genera. Crossbreeding is extremely unlikely and, as said, greys often red colouration variations in some populations.


  • #4
    recedite
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13,989 ✭✭✭✭recedite


    The ones in the Botanic Gardens are quite reddish looking too. But they are 100% the grey species. Not sure if its a Dublin thing, or not.


    In Britain they are all turning black apparently. Have a look at the BBC.


  • #5
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    recedite wrote: »
    The ones in the Botanic Gardens are quite reddish looking too. But they are 100% the grey species. Not sure if its a Dublin thing, or not.


    In Britain they are all turning black apparently. Have a look at the BBC.
    I've seen many black greys in the US, but it's a very localised trait. Likewise in the UK, it's restricted to particular areas.


  • #6
    EICVD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,006 ✭✭✭EICVD


    recedite wrote: »
    The ones in the Botanic Gardens are quite reddish looking too. But they are 100% the grey species. Not sure if its a Dublin thing, or not.


    In Britain they are all turning black apparently. Have a look at the BBC.

    I was in Toronto over New Years, all you see are Black Squirrels


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