In Poland, the most commonly encountered squirrel is the red squirrel, also known as the Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris). Its characteristic red fur, which becomes even denser in winter, protects it well from the cold. An adult squirrel measures between 20 and 24 cm, and its tail \u2013 between 17 and 20 cm \u2013 is its most recognisable feature, allowing it not only to maintain balance during leaps but also to keep warm on cold days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you encounter grey squirrels in Poland?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is an invasive species native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. It arrived in Europe through introductions, mainly in Italy, Great Britain, and Ireland, where it began to compete with the native red squirrel. The grey squirrel does not naturally occur in Poland, although there are a few instances of captive breeding and sporadic reports of its presence, mainly based on illegal releases. This species is larger and heavier than our native Eurasian red squirrel, and its fur has a characteristic greyish hue, sometimes with a mix of black or red. The grey squirrel reproduces quickly, is very opportunistic in its diet, and can inhabit a variety of environments \u2013 from deciduous forests to urban areas and gardens. Its presence in Poland poses a potential threat to the Eurasian red squirrel through competition, disease transmission (e.g., squirrel poxvirus), and damage to trees. Therefore, the breeding and trade of this species in Poland are subject to restrictions, and experts emphasise the need to monitor the situation, as natural expansion of the grey squirrel from neighbouring countries could become a reality in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"wiewi\u00f3rka](\"https:\/\/turdus.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wiewiorka-szara-1024x521.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere does it live and how does it behave?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe common squirrel is an animal that copes brilliantly in various conditions. In the wild, it inhabits deciduous and coniferous forests, and in large cities, it gladly appears in parks and gardens. It often climbs trees, using its beautiful, fluffy tail as a counterbalance and a tool for communication. Additionally, squirrels build nests, which they can move if threatened, using them as backup hiding places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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What is a squirrel? The diet of squirrels is not just nuts!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA squirrel's diet is incredibly varied. Their main food sources include seeds, hazelnuts or walnuts, acorns, tree buds, young tree shoots, mushrooms, and forest berries. During the autumn and winter months, they store extensive food reserves, burying them in various locations. This scatter-hoarding strategy, which involves spreading out their supplies, helps them survive the harshest months \u2013 thanks to it, squirrels can find food even months after hiding it. They also sometimes turn to insects, bird eggs, or bark, which demonstrates their remarkable flexibility in food selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do they gather provisions for winter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn autumn, squirrels become real hoarders. They search for and store nuts, chestnuts, acorns, and mushrooms, which they hide in various places. Their spatial memory and sense of smell are so well-developed that they can find most of their caches even after a long time. Thanks to this ability, they not only survive the winter, but also contribute to the development of new plants by scattering countless seeds and nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do squirrels hibernate?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe common belief about squirrel hibernation is mistaken \u2013 squirrels do not go into a full winter sleep. However, they are most active at dawn, moving around in search of hidden supplies, and afterwards they hide in their nests, which are often moved multiple times if threatened. On cold days they may warm each other by sitting together in the nest, although they usually lead a solitary life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Squirrel as a pet \u2013 is it possible to keep one at home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMore and more wildlife enthusiasts are considering keeping squirrels as pets. However, such a decision requires great responsibility and knowledge of the animal's needs. A pet squirrel is lively, curious about the world, and requires secured space to prevent damage to furniture or escape. They feed mainly on grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even small insects and bird eggs. In Poland, keeping such animals is only legal under specific conditions, and caring for them requires specialist knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A domestic squirrel is usually an animal from breeding or a species accustomed to living in residential conditions, for example, the Siberian chipmunk, also known as a chipmunk, which differs from the common European squirrel in appearance (it has a different fur colour, a striped back) and character traits. A domestic squirrel is more tame, although still lively and curious, requires a lot of space, and caring for it is similar to looking after other rodents. It lives for about 5-7 years and can be active during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"wiewi\u00f3rka](\"https:\/\/turdus.pl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/wiewiorka-szara.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere does it live and how does it behave?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe common squirrel is an animal that copes brilliantly in various conditions. In the wild, it inhabits deciduous and coniferous forests, and in large cities, it gladly appears in parks and gardens. It often climbs trees, using its beautiful, fluffy tail as a counterbalance and a tool for communication. Additionally, squirrels build nests, which they can move if threatened, using them as backup hiding places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is a squirrel? The diet of squirrels is not just nuts!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nA squirrel's diet is incredibly varied. Their main food sources include seeds, hazelnuts or walnuts, acorns, tree buds, young tree shoots, mushrooms, and forest berries. During the autumn and winter months, they store extensive food reserves, burying them in various locations. This scatter-hoarding strategy, which involves spreading out their supplies, helps them survive the harshest months \u2013 thanks to it, squirrels can find food even months after hiding it. They also sometimes turn to insects, bird eggs, or bark, which demonstrates their remarkable flexibility in food selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do they gather provisions for winter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn autumn, squirrels become real hoarders. They search for and store nuts, chestnuts, acorns, and mushrooms, which they hide in various places. Their spatial memory and sense of smell are so well-developed that they can find most of their caches even after a long time. Thanks to this ability, they not only survive the winter, but also contribute to the development of new plants by scattering countless seeds and nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do squirrels hibernate?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe common belief about squirrel hibernation is mistaken \u2013 squirrels do not go into a full winter sleep. However, they are most active at dawn, moving around in search of hidden supplies, and afterwards they hide in their nests, which are often moved multiple times if threatened. On cold days they may warm each other by sitting together in the nest, although they usually lead a solitary life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Squirrel as a pet \u2013 is it possible to keep one at home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMore and more wildlife enthusiasts are considering keeping squirrels as pets. However, such a decision requires great responsibility and knowledge of the animal's needs. A pet squirrel is lively, curious about the world, and requires secured space to prevent damage to furniture or escape. They feed mainly on grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even small insects and bird eggs. In Poland, keeping such animals is only legal under specific conditions, and caring for them requires specialist knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A domestic squirrel is usually an animal from breeding or a species accustomed to living in residential conditions, for example, the Siberian chipmunk, also known as a chipmunk, which differs from the common European squirrel in appearance (it has a different fur colour, a striped back) and character traits. A domestic squirrel is more tame, although still lively and curious, requires a lot of space, and caring for it is similar to looking after other rodents. It lives for about 5-7 years and can be active during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A squirrel's diet is incredibly varied. Their main food sources include seeds, hazelnuts or walnuts, acorns, tree buds, young tree shoots, mushrooms, and forest berries. During the autumn and winter months, they store extensive food reserves, burying them in various locations. This scatter-hoarding strategy, which involves spreading out their supplies, helps them survive the harshest months \u2013 thanks to it, squirrels can find food even months after hiding it. They also sometimes turn to insects, bird eggs, or bark, which demonstrates their remarkable flexibility in food selection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do they gather provisions for winter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn autumn, squirrels become real hoarders. They search for and store nuts, chestnuts, acorns, and mushrooms, which they hide in various places. Their spatial memory and sense of smell are so well-developed that they can find most of their caches even after a long time. Thanks to this ability, they not only survive the winter, but also contribute to the development of new plants by scattering countless seeds and nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do squirrels hibernate?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe common belief about squirrel hibernation is mistaken \u2013 squirrels do not go into a full winter sleep. However, they are most active at dawn, moving around in search of hidden supplies, and afterwards they hide in their nests, which are often moved multiple times if threatened. On cold days they may warm each other by sitting together in the nest, although they usually lead a solitary life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Squirrel as a pet \u2013 is it possible to keep one at home?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMore and more wildlife enthusiasts are considering keeping squirrels as pets. However, such a decision requires great responsibility and knowledge of the animal's needs. A pet squirrel is lively, curious about the world, and requires secured space to prevent damage to furniture or escape. They feed mainly on grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and even small insects and bird eggs. In Poland, keeping such animals is only legal under specific conditions, and caring for them requires specialist knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A domestic squirrel is usually an animal from breeding or a species accustomed to living in residential conditions, for example, the Siberian chipmunk, also known as a chipmunk, which differs from the common European squirrel in appearance (it has a different fur colour, a striped back) and character traits. A domestic squirrel is more tame, although still lively and curious, requires a lot of space, and caring for it is similar to looking after other rodents. It lives for about 5-7 years and can be active during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The common belief about squirrel hibernation is mistaken \u2013 squirrels do not go into a full winter sleep. However, they are most active at dawn, moving around in search of hidden supplies, and afterwards they hide in their nests, which are often moved multiple times if threatened. On cold days they may warm each other by sitting together in the nest, although they usually lead a solitary life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n