Description
The red squirrel is a small, lively rodent that lives in coniferous and deciduous forests. In the Netherlands it's less common than it used to be due to habitat loss. It has distinctive ear tufts in winter.
Behavior
Squirrels are active during the day and can be seen leaping through treetops or foraging for nuts on the ground. They cache acorns and hazelnuts for winter but never find most of them again.
What to do
No special action needed. Squirrels rarely bite but can do so if picked up. Don't touch wild squirrels.
Pro tip
Forgotten squirrel caches are responsible for thousands of new oak trees every year. That makes squirrels important 'forest rangers'.
Interesting fact
A squirrel can survive a 30-meter fall by using its bushy tail as a parachute, and its bones are built to absorb shock.