In keeping with the tradition that I started last year; I’ve decided to once again review an animal native to Ireland for St. Patrick’s Day. And I’ve had this one in mind for a while. It’s the CollectA 2011 red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and I originally purchased it in August at my local county fair. I knew it would be a great pick for this holiday but at the time I figured there was no way I would hold onto it without reviewing it for that long, but I did, and here we are!
The red squirrel is native not just to Ireland but also northern Europe all the way through Siberia where they live in coniferous and temperate broadleaf forests. The red squirrel is the only squirrel species native to Ireland and the UK, having arrived there from mainland Europe via a land bridge 10,000 years ago. The red squirrel should not be confused with the American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) that only occurs in North America (would someone make a figure of that species, please?)
Although classified as least concern the red squirrel is struggling in parts of its range, including Ireland and the UK. This is due largely to competition with the invasive North American eastern gray squirrel (S. carolinensis) which is not only larger and more aggressive, but also carries squirrelpox virus, which they can endure but red squirrels cannot. In addition, the usual habitat loss and fragmentation also effects the red squirrel. Thanks to conservation efforts the red squirrel is making a comeback in Ireland and the UK. This is thanks in part to the re-introduction of the pine marten, which seems to prefer preying on the gray squirrel.
The CollectA red squirrel is a small figure, standing about 1.75” (4.445 cm) tall and measuring 2.25” (5.715 cm) long. It is presented in the classic squirrel hunched posture, clutching a nut in its forepaws. Figuring out the head-and-body length is challenging here but it seems to be about 2”. The actual red squirrel has a head-and-body length of 7-9” (17.78-22.86 cm) which would put the figure at about 1/4 in scale.
Despite its small size and age this is a beautifully crafted little figure. One that took me by surprise when I first saw it. A nice coat of wavy hair is etched into the sculpt and the tail is particularly well executed with various tufts of sculpted hair weaving and waving about convincingly. It’s one of the better executed tails I’ve seen on a toy squirrel. Fine details include five distinct clawed digits on each limb, appropriately pointed ears (important for this species), and even a little mouth which is hidden by the nut but still there. The nut itself has some texture on it too but I couldn’t tell you what species it’s from.
The color of the red squirrel varies with the time of year and there are various color morphs as well, including black. This squirrel is a traditional red with a bit of a brown wash. White circles surround the black eyes, and the belly and underside of the tail is white too. The claws and nose are black. The application on this figure is superb, as indicated by the cleanly painted little claws.
Since many toy animal companies hail from Europe there is an abundance of red squirrel figures to choose from, more than any other squirrel species by far. There are some good ones, particularly by Schleich and Papo, and some really cool vintage ones too. But I think for the discerning collectors looking for a lifelike representative, this one from CollectA is the best available. The CollectA red squirrel is still in production and retails for about $3-4.
This is the representative of the red squirrel in my collection, too! The model by Papo from a year or two ago is also very nice, but I don’t think this CollectA squirrel will be replaced in the foreseeable future!