Fox squirrel
Sciurus niger
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Photo credit: ©Jason Quinn
Sciurus niger
Common Names:
- Fox squirrel
Habitat:
Description:
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- Deciduous and mixed forest with open understoreys, as well as wood riparian zones.
Description:
- The fox squirrel is a relatively large reddish-brown squirrel with a long, bushy tail native to North America.
Origin and Worldwide Distribution:
- The fox squirrel is native to North America
- Recently, it was imported to Europe for the pet trade
- It has not yet established itself in the wild
Potential or Known Impacts:
- There is a strong likelihood that the species will become invasive if it were to escape into the wild, as the conditions in many European countries are similar to those in its native home range
- As other invasive squirrels, it could out compete the native red squirrel and pass on diseases and parasites to which the native fauna is not resistant
How could it get here?
- Imported for the pet trade and escaped or released individuals becoming established
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- Not present in Northern Ireland.
Methods for Prevention:
- The import of this species has already been banned through the EU Wildlife Trade Regulation, but placing it on the Union list will further prevent the invasion by prohibiting its sales, phasing out its keeping and requiring a rapid eradication of any newly observed population.
- Report all sightings.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Current Legislative Position (Listed on 03 August 2016)
- This species must not intentionally be brought into the Union; kept; bred; transported to, from or within the United Kingdom, unless for the transportation to facilities in the context of eradication; placed on the market; used or exchanged; permitted to reproduce, grown or cultivated; or released into the environment.
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