Black Coloured Red Squirrel (wild)

Taken 28th October 2015

Is this a subspecies or colour variety that is usual in this area or is this an unusually coloured individual? Any information would be appreciated.

I have often seen melanistic red squirrels in southern Germany where they are by no means unusual; I don't recall seeing them in the Czech Republic.

Just a colour morph that I have seen a lot in western Czech republic...

There is a specialized rescue station for young squirels in the Czech republic. They handread each year many squirels and release them in the wild.

Last year, the squirels that people found and brought to them had these colours:
red - 29
black - 22
black with red line around belly - 6
brown - 3
mahagon - 6
brownish red - 11

Animals from one nest have very often different colours.

Very interesting.
Thanks!

I remember seeing Red, Black and Brown morphs in Nuremberg Zoo many years ago. Interesting that the UK race of Red doesn't seem to carry any of these variations though.

As mentioned in my earlier post, I have often seen melanistic red squirrels in southern Germany; Nuremberg Zoo is actually the place where I have seen the black morph most frequently. (NB I am referring to wild squirrels living in the zoo grounds not captive squirrels in the zoo.)

Agreed; I have never seen melanistic red squirrels in the UK either. Interestingly, though, the population of melanistic grey squirrels is apparently increasing in Cambrigeshire; and black grey squirrels are often seen in the grounds of Girton College, Cambridge University.