![]() ![]() The invasion of the grey squirrel in the United Kingdom can be classified as a Disease Mediated Invasion (DMI). These eastern grey squirrels are considered an invasive species in Europe because of their presence contributing to the displacement of the red squirrels. Both species have similar diets, use similar locations of the environment and have similar activity patterns however, there is no evidence of noticeable aggression between the two species. The native squirrel in Europe is the red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris). Genetic studies have shown that human intervention- released pets and intentional dispersal-may play a much larger role in the spread of grey squirrels than previously believed. The eastern grey squirrel was introduced to Continental Europe in 1948 and has quickly taken advantage of Europe's food sources, habitats and lack of predators for grey squirrels. They were first introduced into England, in a concerted way, in 1876, and through rapidly growing population and further introductions they spread to the rest of Great Britain by the early to mid-20th century. They eat large seeds, flowers, buds, fruits, fungi, some insects and occasionally bird eggs. ![]() ![]() vulgaris, native to Europe, which has largely been displaced by the grey squirrel in some areas.Įurope's grey squirrels ( Sciurus carolinensis) originated in North America, where they are known as eastern gray squirrels (to differentiate from western gray squirrels). ![]()
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