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Thread: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

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  1. #1
    ordubismom Guest

    Question Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    I have 3 baby squirrels that my neighbor brought me January 17th. They are Healthy and happy babies. Today the same neighbor brought me an even smaller baby than the last 3 that her cat left on her bathroom floor that it drug in. They were about 2 wks old when we got them. This one is darker than they were. Looks like them otherwise. It has a white stomach and is about the size of a AA battery. I am feeding it the pedialyte and switching her over to esbilac. My husband keeps telling me it's a squirrel (knowing I am terrified of mice and rats). But I was pretty sure that squirrel were only born 2 times a year and this is 2 months later than our last baby grays. Either way what can I do? Gotta love it, feed it, and set it free. I am trying so hard not to be fearful of it thinking it is a rat. Not sure how else to know for sure, other than to ask and or wait till the tail fills out or not. Lol.
    Thanks for your help.

  2. #2
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    Wink Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    A picture would be nice so we can help you figure this dilemma out. However babies are wonderful no matter if it's a squirrel or rat Good luck !!!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Rebecca <
    SC Wildlife Rehabilitator
    I'm a squirrel watcher, I'm a squirrel watcher, watching squirrels go by, my my my!

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    Hi and welcome....I am an avid rat lover and owner of many rats over the years...Many people don't really know about the personalities of rats and they are mis-judge....Rats are as affectionate as a pet squirrel...they are not biters unless really provoked and even then most don't bite...They are highly inteligent and love to be social...If this is a rat and you feed and take care of it I promise you will have a friend for the rest of it's life....Don't let images and rumors scare you off...Perhaps if they were called something that sounded cute people would see them differenly....So I have done just that...I refer to them as ratscales...
    As far as squirrels go...it is possible it is another baby squirrel from a current litter...this year the squirrels seem to be out of sink with their cycles because of all the warm weather we've had this winter...They are breeding early this year....
    So squirrel or ratscale, it needs someone to care for it and it needs love and affection.....

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    Lets see if this works....
    single pic is a squirrel
    many babies in pic are rats....the head is elongated compaired to the squirrels head.
    Attached Images Attached Images   
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Rebecca <
    SC Wildlife Rehabilitator
    I'm a squirrel watcher, I'm a squirrel watcher, watching squirrels go by, my my my!

  5. #5
    TexanSquirrel Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    Post a pic so we can see!

  6. #6
    ordubismom Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    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.Name:  HPIM3668.JPG
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  7. #7
    TexanSquirrel Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    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.

  8. #8
    skye Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    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.

  9. #9
    ordubismom Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    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.

  10. #10
    skye Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

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

  11. #11
    Buddy'sMom Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    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!!

  12. #12
    FLUFFYTAILNUT Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    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

  13. #13
    Pam Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    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.

  14. #14
    TexanSquirrel Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    Well? How are they?

  15. #15
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    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    If I may offer my opinion - I think it is a baby deer mouse http://www.bugladyconsulting.com/mice%20baby.htm which is possibly wishful thinking since I adore deer mice - huge eyes and little white bellies with pink/white "gloves". Possible it's a rat but I don't know if a baby rat would have a white belly and the pictures I've seen show pudgier feet and less well formed ears at that size:
    http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...&ct=image&cd=3
    But it is entirely possibe that I'm wrong.

  16. #16
    squirrel princess Guest

    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    Oh please, please, please don't leave us hanging on this story.
    It is a riot We want to know what has happened with your little brood

  17. #17
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    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    Oops! wait - you're in Florida - it's probably a roof rat

  18. #18
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    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    Quote Originally Posted by smoknbunny
    If I may offer my opinion - I think it is a baby deer mouse http://www.bugladyconsulting.com/mice%20baby.htm which is possibly wishful thinking since I adore deer mice - huge eyes and little white bellies with pink/white "gloves". Possible it's a rat but I don't know if a baby rat would have a white belly and the pictures I've seen show pudgier feet and less well formed ears at that size:
    http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...&ct=image&cd=3
    But it is entirely possibe that I'm wrong.

    how could you not think they are nothing short of adorable
    they kinda have to grow into there head dont they?
    Life is not measured by how many breaths we take
    But by the Moments that take our breath away
    They Call me….Miss Ellie MaeJ



    Simba as a baby
    Click the picture for a short video tribute.


  19. #19
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    Default Re: Do I have a squirrel or a rat?

    maybe this will be of some help
    http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/P...floridanus.pdf
    http://www.247wildlife.com/rats.htm
    left is the florida mouse right is the cotton mouse
    it also stated the florida mouse has a slight musky odor like a skunk????
    Attached Images Attached Images   
    Life is not measured by how many breaths we take
    But by the Moments that take our breath away
    They Call me….Miss Ellie MaeJ



    Simba as a baby
    Click the picture for a short video tribute.


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