Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

[ordubismom]

I am going to try to add some pictures. This baby squeeks a lot too if that is helpful. My squirrels never really squeeked except once the first day I got them. I hope these pictures aren't huge. Not sure how to make them smaller.

[TexanSquirrel]

Just remember that you have a beautiful little fuzzer who needs you. It just so happens to be the kind of fuzzer without the fuzzy tail. Just think about how sweet and precious he/she has been so far and will continue to be. Ratties have been know to make absolutely wonderful companions. There is no need to be afraid.

[skye]

yep thats looks like a baby rat to me has that pointed tail. What a cute little darling not like he can hurt you right now so small and young and give him love he sure won't hurt you when he gets bigger. They are adorable I can't say I ever owned one but knew someone had them and I use to hold them all the time and so loving they can be. Good Lucky with this baby.

[ordubismom]

EEEEkkkkk....I was afraid of that. Everyone at my home has told me over and over that it is a squirrel, but I fed my babies too many 2 hour feedings to believe this baby is a squirrel. Everything in me crys out Help! It's a rat. My kids are begging to keep it and I know I couldn't kill it, but not sure I can raise it and love it. I am trying I am trying. My Mother in law works at a vet and said she can take it with her to work tomorrow and they would raise it. Not sure what to do right now. I'm trying very hard not to have conditional love.

[skye]

Well if a vet will take care of it maybe that be better off for the baby.

EEEEkkkkk....I was afraid of that. Everyone at my home has told me over and over that it is a squirrel, but I fed my babies too many 2 hour feedings to believe this baby is a squirrel. Everything in me crys out Help! It's a rat. My kids are begging to keep it and I know I couldn't kill it, but not sure I can raise it and love it. I am trying I am trying. My Mother in law works at a vet and said she can take it with her to work tomorrow and they would raise it. Not sure what to do right now. I'm trying very hard not to have conditional love.

[Buddy'sMom]

Try to just focus on this: It's a fuzzy BABY (never mind the type) and it needs help and YOU have the experience to help it.

Doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision. Right now, this baby needs someone who knows how to take care of it. As it grows up, you may fall in love with it as many of us have with our squirrels. Or not -- and then you can find someone else to take over. Once the baby is older, it would be easier to find another home for it. So perhaps you can just take it slowly and see how it goes?

(The vet is a possibility, but perhaps check first to see if there is anyone that would know how to take care of such a yound baby?)

Good luck -- you're doing great!!

[FLUFFYTAILNUT]

Awww...so, cute.
I know there is a part inside..thats saying aww..too..Just a wee disapointed...that it wasnt a squirrel..
Thats okay...It needs you..
Awww..your its mommy..now.
They do make excellent pets..for the WHOLE family..where as if it were a squirrel..it would more than likely..ONLY..had LIKED you...
This is a great...family addition!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
FLUFFYTAILNUT...n...BEAN

[Pam]

I understand how you are feeling. I use to be terrified of mice. Well six years ago, my border collie brought a tiny pink creature to my doorstep late one night. My son brought "it" inside. He said I think it's a squirrel...I kept saying, but what if it's a mouse. He said, I don't care what it is, I can't let the baby die. We both fought all night to keep the little pink thing alive. I think I prayed the whole night...Lord, please let it be a squirrel. She turned out to be beautiful baby squirrel. I still have Roxy almost six years later...she's the love of my life.

[squirrelmanxx]

There is no need to be so racist regarding the rodent clan.
A small rat needs your help and should cause you no shame or embarrassment; you can always kill it later !!

[Snipe]

Sometimes Moms don't get too choose just exactly how the kids are going to turn out, but Look on the bright side, when it grows up you can still feed it a peanut or two if you want

[TinyPaws]

I have raised baby rats at the age of 2 days old because their mother died.....The best thing to feed a baby rat is Baby Soy Powder Formula, found in the baby isle at a grocery store...mix it with water until it looks like milk and you will be able to smell the sweetness of the formula....use a 1cc syring and feed the baby every 3-4 hours around the clock for a week then you can start cutting down round the clock..Just as with squirrels be sure the baby does not asperate as this will kill her....one drip at a time....Then after one week you can mix the formula in a small dish like a jar top but only put enough to cover the bottom to prevent drowning... As the baby starts to grow I will give you a diet suitable for a baby rat....From looking at this little angel I would put the age at no more than 2 weeks old....I'll take another look but I believe you have a little girl....I noticed she is very thin and the hip bones are showing so this baby needs food now....It is not recommended to feed puppy formula but untill you can get it the proper formula i guess in a pinch it will have to do....If you are not going to take on this task, you need to turn that little one over the first thing in the morning to prevent her from dying...She is already in a weakened condition and it seems like she hasn't eaten for at least 24 hours....if she doesn't get the care she needs now she may not make it the next 24 hours......So PLEASE do what is best for her....keep her warm as you do the squirrels...heating pad to cover 1/2 the container and cover her....keep me informed.... for caring for this tiny helpless baby....

[TinyPaws]

At a second and third look at the picture of her uh-hum....the pic is too blurry to be sure so if you can send, another one that is not fuzzy...At this age it is difficult to seperate the boys from the girls...but I need a clear photo..

[Mads]

oh..gosh...this post has been too funny.

I had a feeling it was a rat before seeing the photo. I love it! I think the good news may be you can release a rat fairly quickly...can't you? I mean, I never think of a rat as needing a mother for very long...but then, I don't really know for sure. I have tried saving baby mice before...wasn't successful with it. And as a kid, we had white mice that my young sister stoled from the science lab in school to save them. We liked them alot.

Well...need to feed the Fab five....

[Mountain Mama]

There is no need to be so racist regarding the rodent clan.

HA! This thread has been a riot!

Congratulations on your rattie. Sometimes God brings us the most wonderful gifts wrapped in the most unusual packages. I have never raised a rat, nor touched one, for that matter, but I feel sure I would be able to love it just like the squirrels.

Now, if a orphaned tarantula showed up at the door, that would be another matter altogether...

[Squirrellie]

You could call him Scrat!

Really, he looks like a sweet rat & would probably be a great buddy for your kids, especially as you raised him from an infant & he was never in the pet store. You are actually very lucky to have him!