Some Do's
and Don'ts
about living
with a
Flying Squirrel
-
If he has
the run of
your
bedroom,
open and
close your
dresser
drawers
slowly.
Your flyer
may have
decided to
curl up for
a nap inside
your shorts
and you
don't want
to squash
him.
-
Shuffle your
feet when
crossing the
room,
especially
at night.
They're fast
and will run
right under
your foot.
-
Don't use
towels for
bedding.
Your flyer
will chew on
them and
they can get
tangled in
the threads
and strangle
themselves.
Cotton balls
or "Squirrel
Fluff" makes
for very
good
bedding. And
it's fun to
watch them
gather it up
and take it
home!
-
Hanging
water
bottles are
NOT the best
idea for
watering
your flyer.
The ball can
get stuck
and prevent
adequate
water flow.
If you use
one of these
bottles, be
sure that
you make
another
water source
available
too. Not
plastic
though, they
will chew on
the plastic
and it can
create
serious
health
problems.
-
Be sure to
provide a
calcium
source for
your flyer.
Cuttle bone
works if you
can get him
to chew on
it. You can
also buy
powdered
calcium and
sprinkle it
on his food
once a week.
Don't over
do it
though.
-
Yogurt is a
good calcium
source and
most flying
squirrels
like it
- Keep in mind
that as
important as
calcium is
to your
flying
squirrels,
their
systems
won't absorb
it without
the aid of
Vitamin D,
so make sure
that they
get an ample
supply. I
used a
supplement
that could
be added to
their water.
If your
squirrel
decides he
doesn't like
it, add a
little
sweet-n-low
to the mix
and you
won't have
any problems
getting them
to drink it.
- Get a copy
of "The
Flying
Squirrel:
King and
queen of the
pet world"
by Curt
Howard. It
is a
must-have
book for
anyone with
flying
squirrels.
The book
addresses
many of the
issues that
you will be
confronted
with as your
squirrel
ages.
-
NEVER forget
to close the
toilet lid.
-
Watch out
for exposed
power cords,
as your
squirrel may
chew on them
with very
negative
results.
-
Depending
upon how
your bedroom
is setup,
make sure
that he
can't get
into the
ceiling fan.
-
Others may
disagree but
I feel it is
very bad to
let your
flyer
co-mingle
with the
family dog.
No matter
how friendly
your dogs
is, his size
can
unintentionally
harm your
flyer.
-
Pecans are a
flying
squirrels
favorite
food but
feed them
sparingly.
Pecans
should be
used at
treats and
not a
primary food
source. 1/2
a pecan per
day is
certainly
enough.
-
Locate a vet
that is
familiar
with flying
squirrels.
Do this
prior to
actually
needing him.
Introduce
yourself and
make sure
that he will
be prepared
to handle
your special
needs when
the time
comes.
