Britain's fattest squirrels go nuts and attack children for food

Britain’s fattest squirrels living at a country park are so greedy they have started to attack children to get their paws on snacks.

They have swelled due to a mild winter that has seen them feasting on an abundance of snacks and food left on the frost-free ground.

And the chubby critters at Tehidy Country Park in Cornwall are now turning their insatiable appetites towards toddlers.

Visitors says the squirrels are nipping and attacking people in a bid to get hold of food they might be carrying.

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One child was feeding a squirrel when SIX others ran out from a bush and bit his hand trying to get the food.

At least two youngsters have already been attacked in woodland – including a three-year-old boy who needed emergency hospital treatment.

Squirrels do not hibernate but in the cooler months they put on up to a quarter of their body weight in fat reserves to keep them warm.

They also grow a thicker winter coat which can make them appear bigger.

But those in Tehidy have this year supplemented their survival techniques with eating at their normal summer levels.

Experts say that because of the unseasonably warm climate in the region they have been left fatter than ever.

As a result the squirrels living in the woodland have grown something of a fearsome reputation.

Among those to suffer at their claws is Sophie Renouf and her three-year-old son who was attacked by a gang of them.

Sophie, 23, was enjoying a walk in the woods with little Finley when he reached out to feed one of the creatures.

But he was horrified when five more suddenly burst out of the undergrowth and leapt on him.

Sophie, of Redruth, Cornwall, said: “There was literally one squirrel there and my son, as you would, fed him as usual.

“Next thing, six of them came running out of the hedge and then, all of a sudden, all I remember is him screaming.

“I looked – and there was blood pouring out of his hand.”

Tearful Finley was rushed from the scene to the minor injuries unit at nearby Barncoose Hospital.

But he was immediately transferred to the Royal Cornwall Hospital where medics spent three hours treating his puncture wounds and bandaging his fingers.

Wildlife expert and TV presenter Lolo Williams admitted that squirrels do normally look bigger at this time of year – but the extra food that’s been available this winter has made them unusually large.

“With the extra layers of fat and thicker winter coat this can make them look much bigger,” said Williams.