Red squirrel

Small, quick, and full of attitude, the red squirrel is a lively resident of Manitoba’s forests, and this one has a rare pale grey coat. Noisy and energetic, the red squirrel is a rusty-coloured resident of Manitoba’s spruce and mixed forests, scolding intruders with a chattering call. It is active all winter, and rarely strays far from its territory.

Red squirrels are the smaller cousins of the grey squirrel, usually rusty above and white below with a bold white eye ring. They are known for scolding anything that wanders into their territory, and they store spruce cones and other seeds in hidden caches for winter. This individual’s pale grey coat is unusual, though the rusty tail is a clue to what it is. Squirrels store cones in large piles called middens, which they guard fiercely, and they also eat seeds, mushrooms, and the occasional bird egg.

This is a favourite frame of a pale grey red squirrel, pausing on mossy ground between the rocks.

Photos

Red squirrel Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the red squirrel in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more animals in the Manitoba wildlife section.

Back to Manitoba wildlife photography, or see the portfolio.