Loiseau Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 In the Vendee last week I saw a squirrel - and realised that it is the first time in 30+ years of visiting that I have seen one!This looked more like a red one, in style, than the grey - with which I am very familiar in London! It was a decent size, and had a bushy tail - but its fur was almost black, with reddish tinge in places.Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Are you sure it was a squirrel, Angela? They do vary considerably in colour, but that's a bit dark for this time of year, could it have been a pine marten or stone marten?Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisymay Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Ours darken in winter. One has a very black tail. So much that it is how we recognise him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 If you Google photos of them, they don't always look that red (as you say, maybe in Winter).http://www.greglasley.net/redsquirrel.htmlhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/i-p-s/403369791/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Nice idea, Christine, but not the same creature, in Europe and Asia it's Sciurus vulgaris not Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (North America).Come on, we are in France.[:D]Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Sowwy, I thought a wed sqwiwwel was a wed sqwiwwel ! [:D]Now I'll have to Google the vulgaris one ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loiseau Posted June 10, 2007 Author Share Posted June 10, 2007 [quote user="chris pp"] Are you sure it was a squirrel, Angela? They do vary considerably in colour, but that's a bit dark for this time of year, could it have been a pine marten or stone marten?[/quote] It looked pretty squirrel-shaped, Chris, and sat still, upright, like a squirrel. I did see it in a shady area near the house, which might have made it look a bit less brightly-coloured. (Just found this pic, which is a bit darker than many)I have to admit that I am not that familiar with the look of martens though. Will go and take a look at those now...AngelaEDIT Just looked at the pix on your site, Chris. I guess the pine marten is a possible, but does it sometimes sit up like a squirrel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 We regularly visit a friend's house which is located in northern Italy near Bagni di Lucca. The village is in the heart of a massive sweet chestnut forest, and the squirrels there also look almost black. They sound very similar to the ones you describe!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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