3 baby squirrels - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Oliversnana** · #1 04-12-09, 04:20 pm

I'm not sure if I have posted this in the appropriate place or not. I sure hope so!

A friend of mine was cutting a palm tree down yesterday and found a nest with 3 baby squirrels in it. Since it is not my first time raising wild squirrels, I was the one volunteered to care for the little guys. I have had success in the past and still have one of the little fellows that lives here on my property. Just wanted to share it with you all.

I have posted a picture of the little ones in my personal albums.

Oh, HAPPY EASTER TO ALL

!

**Oliversnana** · #2 04-16-09, 02:21 am

Update on the babies, The little guys are all doing very well, all staying warm and eating good. They are approximately 5 to 6 weeks old 2 females, 1 male (he is the runt)
They will be put back into the wild and be on their own at 12 weeks of age.
Thank goodness I'm 1/2 way there cause, I'm exhausted!

**claire** · #3 04-16-09, 08:40 am

Eeeeeeep! Baby squirrels! You are so lucky. Years ago when I worked at the S.P.C.A. we had a tame squirrel handed in which we assume had been kept far too long and, on release, ran to every human he saw and would climb onto their shoulder. A kindly walker brought him in after being mobbed by him and trying unsuccessfully to get him to go away. I had the privilege of stroking him. Such an affectionate cheery little chap. Even though he was a grey squirrel which are legally vermin here, he was too sweet to be euthanised and ended up going to live at a wildlife centre. I bet the visiting kids loved him.

**Oliversnana** · #4 04-16-09, 09:25 am

I had an Orphaned Grey Squirrel that I raised several years ago. He was the sweetest little guy, even though I released him in time so that he did not become dependent on humans he did on occasion come into the yard while I was gardening and would climb up my leg onto my shoulder and sit there while I did the watering. It was pretty awesome.

**fieryone** · #5 04-16-09, 09:31 am

Oh my word, they are adorable! I've always loved squirrels so I'm a little jealous. Good luck with them and being able to part with them when it's time.

**Oliversnana** · #6 04-18-09, 04:18 pm

The little varmints are doing so good! Much better than I expected. They are all growing so fast. (I will update pictures of them in my "Personal Album" sometime today)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fieryone

Good luck with them and being able to part with them when it's time.

I know it will not be easy when the time comes to release them

. Because they are so very sweet with personalities all their own. My daughter Sammijo, keeps wanting to give them all names

. But I feel that when rescuing at least with wild animals, giving them names would make them a pet, thus making them a family member. So names are not such a good idea, it just would not be fare to them or to us.

**lissie** · #7 04-18-09, 04:25 pm

I've always wondered if squirrels are kept as pets here. I'm from a small country in Asia. I've seen squirrels in pet stores.

**Oliversnana** · #8 04-18-09, 07:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by lissie

I've always wondered if squirrels are kept as pets here. I'm from a small country in Asia. I've seen squirrels in pet stores.

In pet stores

?? That's awful

!!

**lissie** · #9 04-19-09, 12:49 am

I know, it's horrible. It's been a long time (more than 15 years) since I've been in pet stores there, I don't know if it's still like that. There was a pet store in walking distance from my house. I used to walk there every week when I was in elementary school. The store was packed with animals in tiny stacked of wire cages (yes, they did have cavies on wire floors). The condition of the store was much worse than pet stores here (note that I don't support pet store here either). I hope they have changed. I feel so bad for the animals there.

**Oliversnana** · #10 04-29-09, 01:39 pm

Just wanted to share and update you all on the babies.
They are approx 8 weeks of age now and growing very fast! they are more active now during daylight hours. They go potty on their own now and have even designated a bathroom area of the bin (yahoo!) They are starting to bathe themselves, play with each other and with themselves It's so cute to see them chasing their own tales, and really funny to watch when you rub their backs the back leg gets going just like a dog!

The male has began eating solid food such as fruits, sunflower seeds and pine nuts the females still seem to prefer formula over food.
I have added pictures of them in my personal albums.

**lissie** · #11 04-29-09, 03:00 pm

That sounds wonderful. Thanks for the update!
I just saw their pictures in your album. They are so adorable!

**Oliversnana** · #12 05-03-09, 06:02 am

Update and New pictures!
They had their very first experience of chewing and climbing on a tree branch today

. They had so much fun playing together while climbing up and down the branch. I have asked my boyfriend to help me build a very large outdoor cage (about the size of an Avery) for them to spend their final month or two in before being released.
I think that it would be a good idea for them to began living in what is as close to their normal living conditions as safely possible. Thinking about building it around one of the small trees on the acre where I ride my dirt bikes. That way they will be outside where wild animals can be wild and pretty much on their own, not living indoors like a family pets with the exception of being safe and feed. It's beginning to get difficult in dealing with them. They seem to crave human contact and are always wanting me hold and snuggle with them. They must really think that I am the Mama Squirrel! It's kinda funny since my nickname is Squirl. Squirl rhythms with Shirl, (Shirley) Anyhow, I have posted a few new pictures of the babies in my Personal Albums that were taken yesterday afternoon as they experienced chewing on, playing and climbing on a tree branch for the very first time.

**Oliversnana** · #13 05-12-09, 05:15 am

Update and a few new pictures in my personal albums

Well today was day three of the babies being put outside in a modified crate cage to explore and become real squirrels. Saturday, as well as yesterday went very well! They played all day together in the trees and came back to the cage just before dark when I called for them both days. But today was a different story. Only one of the females returned to the cage before dark, and the second female did come when I called for her. My little man never did return

I continued to go out and call for him until way after 11pm but he never came home. I left their cage outside rather than bring it in as I had done the first two nights in hopes that he may eventually return. I hope the little guy is okay and has not been harmed at all. I won't know for sure until morning. I think that they are still too young to be venturing out all alone over night since they have been staying close to one another while out exploring. They usually begin staying away for longer periods during the day but never over night until they have built a nest of their own. Who knows maybe he found someplace warm and safe and will be just fine (I sure hope so)

**Oliversnana** · #14 05-12-09, 10:59 am

Good news, all 3 babies are safe and sound!

Little man is a bit tired and maybe a little scared so he has decided to curl up in the nest and sleep for awhile rather than play with his sisters this morning.

**Alusdra** · #15 05-12-09, 07:06 pm

I didn't see this before- but in most if not all states, I'm pretty sure that it is illegal to have wildlife in your house unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

**Oliversnana** · #16 05-13-09, 06:58 am

I'm sure it is but I could not allow them to just fin for themselves they would have never made it. Whatever the fines or consequences I'm willing to take that risk!

**fieryone** · #17 05-13-09, 08:50 am

I'm glad your boy made it home safely! And I have commend you for taking care of these little babies. I just love squirrels and would do exactly the same thing

**Oliversnana** · #18 05-17-09, 11:48 pm

Update on the Babies!
They are all doing absolutely awesome with their transition back into the wild.
The girls seem to be doing fine have not had any human contact for 2 days now.The male is still being a Mama's boy. He comes down into the yard when I'm out doing my watering everyday and hangs out with me. He seems to need a little love from me, he will rub his face against mine as if to say "Hi, I love you mama"

Today he sat on my shoulder and drank from the hose. It was too cute. I posted pictures of it in my personal Albums.

**claire** · #19 05-18-09, 11:54 am

Aw! They look like proper teenagers now. You've done a brilliant job with them, well done. I can't imagine an official wildlife fosterer could have done a better job. It's great to hear they're growing up and away from human contact.

**4piggers** · #20 05-18-09, 12:05 pm

Funny I see this today.

This weekend we got a call about a tree that was cut down and had 3 baby squirrels in it. Im estimating them to be 5-6 weeks old. One has an injured leg...he just kind of drags it

.

off to check out your pictures. And congrats on the awesome transition!

"Thank you, Oliversnana, for this useful post," says:
fieryone (05-13-09)

"Thank you, fieryone, for this useful post," says:
Oliversnana (05-13-09)