Eurasian red squirrel with toadstool

© Edwin Giesbers/Minden Picture

Feeling squirrely?. Eurasian red squirrel

What's that long, bushy tail scurrying across the branches? Chances are, it's a squirrel. From the tiny least pygmy squirrel—more than 13 centimetres long—to the Bhutan giant flying squirrel at more than one metres, these mammals come in all shapes and sizes. Today's image features a Eurasian red squirrel, photographed in the Netherlands. The red squirrel can be found across Europe and Russia, from western Spain and Portugal all the way to eastern Siberia. Their diet mainly consists of nuts, fungi, seeds and berries, but they will occasionally eat birds' eggs. In addition to being the national mammal of Denmark, they also play a part in old Norse mythology. Ratatoskr is a red squirrel who scurries up and down Yggdrasil, the sacred tree, carrying messages and spreading gossip.

India is home to a diverse array of squirrel species, including the Indian palm squirrel and the Indian giant squirrel. The Indian palm squirrel, a native rodent, is a familiar sight in many regions, known for its adaptability. Meanwhile, the Indian giant squirrel, or Malabar giant squirrel, stands out with its vibrant colours and impressive size. This arboreal, herbivorous species thrives in India's forests, living a diurnal life high in the canopy, adding charm and vitality to the country's rich wildlife.