On March 23, 2007, Slovenia Post issued the WWF stamp series depicted the Red Squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris ) . The local FDC has been released on the same date. Image of species has shown on left side of the FDC and cancelled with a special post mark. Also four maxi cards that shown more detail of the species issued together.
The red squirrel or Eurasian red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia. The red squirrel is an arboreal, omnivorous rodent and not sexually dimorphic, males and females are the same size.The red squirrel has a typical head-and-body with average length of 20 cm , average tail length of 17 cm and average mass of 300 g.
The coat of the red squirrel varies in color with time of year and location. There are several different coat color morphs ranging from black to red.The underside of the squirrel is always white-cream in color. The red squirrel sheds its coat twice a year, switching from a thinner summer coat to a thicker, darker winter coat with noticeably larger ear-tufts between August and November.
The red squirrel, has sharp curved claws to enable it to climb and descend broad tree trunks, thin branches and even house walls. Its strong hind legs enable it to leap gaps between trees.The red squirrel also has the ability to swim.
Mating can occur in late winter during February and March and in summer between June and July.The red squirrel is found in both coniferous forest and temperate broadleaf woodlands. The squirrel makes a drey (nest) out of twigs in a branch-fork, forming a domed structure about 25 to 30 cm in diameter.
The red squirrel is a solitary animal and is shy and reluctant to share food with others.The red squirrel eats mostly the seeds of trees, neatly stripping conifer cones to get at the seeds within. Fungi, nuts (especially hazelnuts and chestnuts), berries, young shoots, and bird eggs are occasionally eaten.
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