Red squirrel in the Scottish Highlands, Scotland
© Scotland: The Big Picture/Minden Picture
The tale of squirrels like Nutkin
If this picture looks right out of Beatrix Potter's world (the brain behind Peter Rabbit), we'd say you have a good eye for a story. In 1903, Potter published 'The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin', about a cheeky squirrel who taunts an owl with silly riddles until he pushes things too far - narrowly escaping with his life, minus a tail. Potter based Nutkin on the red squirrel, the only native squirrel species to the UK. The red squirrel population saw a steep decline here after humans introduced the larger non-native Eastern grey squirrel in the late 1800s.
Today in the UK, the red squirrel is a protected species, bolstering efforts to keep the grey numbers in check and preserve habitat. The UK red squirrel population is estimated to be about 138,000, with the vast majority living in the woods of Scotland, like our little friend here.
Join us in getting nutty for the red squirrel - and squirrels everywhere - for today is Squirrel Appreciation Day.
Related Images
The Fraser River near Mount Robson, British Columbia, Canada
Cottonwood trees and red sandstone in Coyote Gulch, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Roman-inspired aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland National Park, England
Cuban tody, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, Cuba
Sunset in Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, Ireland
Temples on Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, Karnataka, India
Sunrise at a vineyard in Bordeaux, France
Today on Bing
Falkland Islands
A European goldfinch perched among rosehips in snow
