Why are red squirrels rare in England?
Red squirrels are rare in England because grey squirrels, introduced from North America in the 1800s, outcompete them for food and carry a disease called squirrelpox, which is deadly to red squirrels but harmless to greys.
Grey squirrels were introduced to Britain in the late 1800s as ornamental animals in parks and country estates. They spread rapidly.
Greys are larger and better at feeding on acorns and other foods in broadleaf woodlands.
Where to see red squirrels
In England, red squirrels survive mainly in the north, in places such as Northumberland, Cumbria and the Lake District, as well as on islands such as Brownsea Island in Dorset and the Isle of Wight.
Scotland is home to most of Britain's remaining red squirrels.
Conservation groups protect red squirrel habitats, control grey squirrels and research vaccines for squirrelpox.
Red squirrels are smaller than greys and have reddish fur and ear tufts. They feature in the stories of Beatrix Potter.
Most of the remaining red squirrels in England live in the forests of the far north, such as Kielder Forest in Northumberland, the largest forest in England.