Big Question!!!!

[I_Want_A_Squirrel]

Ok, I want a southern flying squirrel extremly bad. I plan on purchasing on next september but I have one large question...Can you keep it in its cage outside?

[Squerly]

Ok, I want a southern flying squirrel extremly bad. I plan on purchasing on next september but I have one large question...Can you keep it in its cage outside?The nature of your question leads me to believe that there may be an outside influence that has stipulated an “outdoors only” rule to your having a flyer. If so, maybe a flyer isn’t your best choice for a pet. Sure, you can keep your flyer outside, but if eventual release isn’t part of the plan, its far from the ideal habitat.

By their nature, Flying Squirrels are going to become more a “family member” than just a pet. And would you really want to leave a member of your family outside?

And the cage would have to be very secure to make sure that he didn’t get out, or worse yet, that something didn’t get in. Snakes, raccoons, etc. are all going to be trying to get in and eat your squirrel’s food, and your squirrel as well. Not a pleasant thought.

And how would you play with him or her? Your squirrel’s cage would have to be very large, so that you could actually go inside to visit with him. Flyers are nocturnal so you’re going to have to spend a lot of nighttime hours sitting outside in his cage.

I’m going to toss my .02 on the table and say that if you can’t have your flyer in the house, don’t get one. While it is certainly possible to keep one outside, I don’t see it as an appropriate setting for you and your flyers relationship.

[MissDolittle]

I couldn't have said it better, Squerly!!!

[NatureGirl]

Hi I_Want_A_Squirrel!

I do agree with Squerly that it probably wouldn't be very convenient going to see your flyer outside at night. You could carry him/her around in your shirt during the day if you wanted to spend time with him/her. Although it would be much easier to keep your flyer inside. I've read that flyers will be fine living outside, providing you have a nice warm nesting box and bedding for him to sleep in in the winter time and a place that's sheletered from the weather, as well as a cool place in the summer. And like Squerly said you'd have to make sure he could not get out and no other animal could get in. I don't think I'd do it myself though. If you do decide to put your squirrel outside please do alot of reading up on this. And if you're getting a baby, I wouldn't put him/her outside until he/she was older. Where are you located? Is there a reason why you want to put your squirrel outside? Most people keep their flyers inside, but I do know of some people who keep their flyers in a large outdoor cage. Check here for more reading: http://www.nfsa.us/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2623

[nutz4squirls]

Another reason to not keep him outside is: Flyers are colony animals, (meaning allot of flyers live together in a nest in the wild) when the nights get cold, they cuddle. Without anyone to cuddle with on a chilly night he may not survive the night. Nutz