Black squirrels

Although black squirrels are rare, they are on the increase and pose a threat to the grey community, possibly causing the same sort of threat that forced red squirrels to near extinction in the UK.

Grey squirrels now colonise 90% of England and Wales and are widespread in Scotland. Across the whole of Britain, there are about 2.5 million grey squirrels and only 60,000 reds.

Experts have said that the black squirrel is a rare mutation of the common eastern grey with large amounts of melanin in its skin, something that decides what colour you they are.

Black squirrels were first introduced at Woburn Park in Bedfordshire at the end of the last century and past sightings in neighbouring counties have probably been descendants of those.

In 2005, it was reported that black squirrels attacked and killed a stray dog in a Russian park. They are said to have run off at the sight of humans, with some of them carrying pieces of the dogs flesh. It's believed that a pine cone shortage may have led the squirrels to seek other food sources.

Have you seen a black squirrel? Are you concerned that these mutations could be dangerous? Share your views with other Tiscali members.