Red Squirrel vs Grey Squirrel: What's The Difference

By: NDTVNewsDesk

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Red and grey squirrels differ in size, colour, and habitat, with grey squirrels being larger, while red squirrels are smaller.

Image: Pexels

Grey squirrels are often grey, and found in mixed forests and urban areas.

Image: Pexels

Red squirrels are rusty red, and have a preference for conifer forests.

Image: Pexels

A reliable way to tell them apart is by looking at the tail.

Image: Pexels

Grey squirrels have a "halo effect" of white-tipped hairs, while red squirrels' tails have a more uniform colour without this effect.

Red squirrels often have prominent ear tufts, especially in winter, while grey squirrels ack ear tufts.

Image: Pexels

Red squirrels diet include conifer seeds, fungi, berries, eggs, grey squirrels eat acorns, nuts, fungi, tree buds and fruits.

Image: Pexels

However, both squirrels are arboreal (tree dwelling) and diurnal (out and about in the day).

Image: Pexels

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