We asked you to send your best red squirrel photos to mark Red Squirrel Appreciation Day (January 21), and you did not disappoint!

  • See our gallery above!

Tap or click here to see more photos in the comments of our Facebook post.

Did you know that red squirrels have an exceptional sense of smell? Reds can find food buried underneath a foot of snow and sense a rotten nut without having to open it.

Also, squirrels do not hibernate and bury food in holes to be eaten later when food is scarce.

Here are a few Isle of Wight red squirrel hotspots 

Alverstone Mead, a nature reserve near Sandown, consists of woodland, a wet meadow and wildflower meadows – and includes a wildlife-watching hide.

Parkhurst Forest in Newport is a haven for wildlife, including the red squirrel and many species of birds such as garden warbler, nightjar, woodcock, green and great spotted woodpecker and long-eared owl.

Not far from Alverstone Mead is Borthwood Copse, which is a great spot to capture a variety of wildlife, such as bluebells, red squirrels and woodland bats.

Other great locations include Shanklin Chine, The Garlic Farm, Quarr Abbey, the Newport to Cowes cycle track, Binstead Wood and Firestone Copse.

Thank you to everyone who sent in their fantastic photos!