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Video Introduction of the Eurasian Red Squirrel of Hokkaido

This video, titled "The Eurasian Red Squirrel Playing in a Field of Pink and Blue Flowers [2020]" (エゾリス駆ける、ブルーとピンクのお花畑は そのまんまメルヘンの世界だった 2020), was uploaded by "Shinji kawamura." The video shows footage of the Eurasian red squirrel eating nuts and running around cutely.

What the Cute Eurasian Red Squirrels of Hokkaido Look Like

Image of a Eurasian Red Squirrel, Hokkaido
Photo:A Eurasian Red Squirrel, Hokkaido

The Eurasian red squirrel weighs approximately 300 to 410 grams and is approximately 22 to 27 cm in length, which is about the size of a kitten. A baby squirrel is about 6 to 8 centimeters long, making it very small and cute looking.

The tail of the Eurasian red squirrel is covered with hair that is roughly 5 cm long, which makes the body of the squirrel itself appear larger. The hair itself is very fine, so you can see in the video how it fluffs up whenever the squirrel moves around.
[Video] 4:04 - The cute tail of the Eurasian red squirrel

Lifespan of the Eurasian Red Squirrel

Image of a Eurasian Red Squirrel, Hokkaido
Photo:A Eurasian Red Squirrel, Hokkaido

Natural predators of the Eurasian red squirrel include birds, such as crows, owls, and hawks, as well as cats and foxes. They live in nests in trees to protect themselves from their natural predators. The life span of the Eurasian red squirrel is said to be 2 to 4 years, but in some cases, they may live as long as 6 years.

In Japan, they have to endure the harsh cold of Hokkaido, but they do not hibernate. Before winter is in full swing, they gather nuts and bury them in the ground to prepare for winter. Starting from around December, Hokkaido is covered with snow, so it's difficult for humans to tell where the squirrels have hidden their nuts.

However, the Eurasian red squirrel can pinpoint the location of buried nuts and eat them. And while the winter coat of the Eurasian red squirrel is characterized by its fluffiness, it changes into a summer coat during the spring and summer months, giving them a slender appearance.

Where to Spot the Eurasian Red Squirrel

Image of a wooden path at Maruyama Park, Sapporo
Photo:A wooden path at Maruyama Park, Sapporo

The cute and cuddly Eurasian red squirrel lives in places where it's very cold, such as the northern part of Eurasia. In Japan, they can only be seen in Hokkaido. They inhabit the plains and subalpine forests of Hokkaido.
It's difficult to go to a natural forest to see Eurasian red squirrels, even if you would like to see them in person after watching a video. We recommend Maruyama Park in Sapporo, Hokkaido.

You may be lucky enough to see wild Eurasian red squirrels in Maruyama Park, a park surrounded by nature in Sapporo, Japan. In addition, an albino Eurasian red squirrel was spotted on the campus of Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and blew up on the internet for a while.

Incidentally, the Birds and Wildlife Protection Law prohibits the breeding of Eurasian red squirrels. Therefore, you have to go to Hokkaido to see them in Japan. If you want to see these cute little creatures, consider making a trip to Hokkaido!

Summary of the Eurasian Red Squirrel

Japan offers beautiful natural scenery in each of its four seasons. In this article, we introduced the cute Eurasian red squirrels of Hokkaido. They look like something out of a fairy tale. The sight of them running around energetically in a field of flowers is quite relaxing. Hokkaido is the only place in Japan where you can see Eurasian red squirrels in the wild. In Maruyama Park in Sapporo, there is a possibility to see Eurasian red squirrels in their natural habitat. If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido, consider checking them out?
[Video] 1:13 - Eurasian red squirrels eating nuts

Until you actually get to see them in person, please enjoy the lovely footage introduced in this article.

Written By
Last Updated : Jun. 15, 2022
Japan
岡本 修(Shu Okamoto)
A writer fascinated by Japanese architecture. I'll introduce you to buildings and food in Japan!
A Look at the Cute Eurasian Red Squirrel of Hokkaido! These Critters Are Something Out of a Fairy Tale!
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