Grey Squirrel in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin

Eyes closed, munching a nut. ....Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin. Grey Squirrels - introduced to Ireland in a basket, as a present, in 1911 at a posh wedding in Casteforbes, Co. Longford, they've now multiplied to the point where they've caused a decline in the native red squirrel population. Greys have a wider diet, can digest unripe acords - reds cannot, so acorns vanish while the reds wait. Greys also carry diseases that they are immune to - but which can spread to reds, which are not immune.....Reds can still be found in Dublin, here and there, in places like St. Anne's Park and there's plans to reintroduce them to the Phoenix Park.

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Filename: _MG_3021_grey_squirrel_drr.jpg
Copyright: 2008 Dave Walsh.
Image Size: 3496x2331 / 4.3MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license; https://www.davewalshphoto.com/contact; Grey Squirrel National Botanic Gardens Dublin irish garden ireland park mammal wildlife nature introduced alien species american Iora Glas Sciurus carolinensis non native eastern gray squirrel easter gray eyes closed biting nut europe european biodiversity
Contained in galleries: Irish Nature & Wildlife, Urban Nature

Eyes closed, munching a nut. ....Grey Squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin. Grey Squirrels - introduced to Ireland in a basket, as a present, in 1911 at a posh wedding in Casteforbes, Co. Longford, they've now multiplied to the point where they've caused a decline in the native red squirrel population. Greys have a wider diet, can digest unripe acords - reds cannot, so acorns vanish while the reds wait. Greys also carry diseases that they are immune to - but which can spread to reds, which are not immune.....Reds can still be found in Dublin, here and there, in places like St. Anne's Park and there's plans to reintroduce them to the Phoenix Park.