RABBITS are widespread throughout the New Forest National Park and are typically found in woodland, grassland and heathland areas. They live in burrow systems called warrens, where they give birth to litters of up to 7 young, sometimes 4 to 5 times a year. These newborn rabbits, or kittens, are blind and naked at birth, although they grow rapidly and are weaned at about 1 month old. Rabbits eat a wide range of vegetation (mainly grass) and they reingest their own droppings in order to extract sufficient nutrients from their food. Rabbit numbers are rapidly increasing due to their breeding habits and their immunity to the Myxomatosis virus.
Grey SQUIRRELS are predominantly found within the woodland areas of the forest and are widespread throughout the National Park. They are labelled as pests by many as they damage trees and steal birds eggs (and their young) for food. For these reasons, grey squirrel numbers are controlled by the Forestry Commission. Their diet also consists of nuts, fresh plant shoots, seeds, buds and flowers, berries, fruit, insects and fungi. They live in nests (Dreys) made from twigs, moss and leaves and these are located high up in the tree. The drey is usually positioned against the trunk and branches of the tree, although they also use holes in trees for nesting. Squirrels generally give birth to litters of between 3 and 7 kittens, twice a year. Newborn squirrels are born naked, with their eyes closed and they leave the drey after about 7 weeks. They are famous for storing nuts underground in autumn so they can feed off them during the winter months when other food is less plentiful.
