red squirrel

noun

1. a reddish squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, of North America.

red squirrel

noun

1. a reddish-brown squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris , inhabiting woodlands of Europe and parts of Asia
2. American red squirrel or chickaree
   either of two reddish-brown squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus or T. douglasii , inhabiting forests of North America

Word History and Origins

Origin of red squirrel¹

An Americanism dating back to 1630–40

Example Sentences

Animals ranging from the red squirrel to the capercaillie grouse are also depicted, as part of an effort to show the importance, and precariousness, of the natural world.

From BBC

"With our genetic analysis we were able to identify red squirrels as the first ancient animal host of leprosy," says senior author Verena Schuenemann of the University of Basel in Switzerland.

From Science Daily

To the team’s surprise, the medieval squirrel strain bore an even closer relation to medieval human strains gathered from the site of the leprosy hospital than to those taken from modern red squirrels.

From Science Magazine

The trees that produce food for red squirrels are subject to greater insect infestation as temperatures rise, Petrullo said.

From Salon

Life in the Yukon can be tough for young red squirrels.

From Science Daily