help with my new flyer!

[Celestial]

Hi im new to the forum, i just got a flyer and i have to say you got to love them but i have one question that bug me a little. On every info i have found on the net it is said that if i dont have the squirrel at 6 - 8 weeks of age it is more unlikely that he will bond to me. I am a little worried because my flyer is a little grown up, i dont think too much, i dont know the exact date, because(mistake) i bought it from a pet dealer because it was the only place i could find where flyers could be bought here in mexico. She is lovely and lets me grab her and pet her if shes asleep and i wake her up shell even fall asleep in my hands, but at night when shes more active, and sometimes when i wake her up completely, sell run away from me. She doesn't bite me or anything unless i try to grab her and put her into her cage if she doesnt want to. But i dont think shes really that bonded to me i even think its more fear than bonding. How can i know? Is it really impossible to bond with a grown up squirrell? I would really appreciate your help if you need any more information on this "case" please let me know thank you so much!!!!

[muffinsquirrel]

No, it isn't impossible - it's just easier if they are babies. They probably won't bond as closely as one you have gotten early and fed formula, but can be sweet and loving pets non the less. Just keep working with her. Whenever you can, get her out while she is sleepy and let her sleep in your shirt for as long as she'll stay there. (I took 2 baby flyers to town shopping with me today. Certainly brings a strange look to people's faces when you say "Want to see my pet flyers?" and reach down your shirt to your bra!!!!) Don't try that with yours - the very young babies are the only ones that can be trusted outside unless you have an extremely close bond. They all get a little hyper at night - that's when they want to play and exercise. They'll use you as a 'landing pad' when they are gliding and jumping. Feed her treats (half of a pecan) from your hand.Break it into small pieces, or she'll just take it and go off somewhere and eat it. If it's in small pieces, she'll keep coming back for more!

There are lots of good tips on bonding here;

http://www.nfsa.us/phpBB2/index.php?sid=487f6358aaec406b87225812d3c44f11

Lots of good information on everything about flyers - much more than I could ever list here. The people are friendly and helpful and rather nutty, just like here.

Good luck with your flyer - they are really wonderful pets to be owned by.

muffinsquirrel

[Celestial]

Wow thanks i was so concerned but i think i misunderstood all this bonding thing it appears that my little flyer does have a bond with me but now im afriad i might have ruined it yesterday i left her free in my room while i was at the computer she began playing and ran everywhere then slowly she began playing with me she raced towards me climb me all the way up and down again i started feeding her and playing and we had a great time. But then the time for her to be put away to her cage came and the ugly part came she didnt want to! She tried to get away all the time and boy she is fast! i think i might have upset her because she started traying to bite me so i put on a glove and grabbed her so that i could put her back in her cage. I felt really bad i was thinking maybe she could be left all night long free and then in the morning when she was a little more calm i could put her in her cage. What do you think? i was just wondering what can i do to avoid another uncomfortable chase around my room? And also will she be scared of me now? sorry i had so many questions but i want the best for her =) thanks!!!!

[Squerly]

Hi Celestial, I don't think that at this time your relationship that she should be allowed to run free in your room, especially all night. And yes, thery are very fast so you need to be very carefull when chasing her down. You can step on one before you even know it. (Yes, I speak from experiance.) Take a moment to read through some of the do's and dont's (http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396) of owning a flying squirrel. It isn't everything that you should watch out for but if your are a first time flyer owner, then there will be things listed here that you may not have thought about.