Lucky attacks my wife.

[Ratman]

Weird one here and any help would be appreciated....this is the second squirrel I've rescued and when I leave the room Lucky attacks my wife..he'll be playing just fine with her then jumps on her arm and digs in a bites her repeatedly...she tries to get him off but he just jumps back on and continues to bite. Needless to say she is getting scared of being alone with Lucky.

I rescued a squirrel about 6 years ago and I was dating a woman who had 3 kids and when I wasn't around they would play with him no problem....never any attacks.

Any idea why this squirrel would be so aggressive to my wife when I'm not around?

[philomycus]

As squirrels get older, they start to show their bond with one person. This is why they don't make great pets. You from now on, you will probably we the only one to ever hold him. And it may even ben soon that even you can not touch him. Any other human is a threat and they can be very agressive. Ones that are kept as pets should only be non-releaseable for this reason. There are very FEW squirrels that will let more than one person touch them. This is normal behavior that your squirrel is beginning to show.

Hold old is your fuzzer?

[Ratman]

As squirrels get older, they start to show their bond with one person. This is why they don't make great pets. You from now on, you will probably we the only one to ever hold him. And it may even ben soon that even you can not touch him. Any other human is a threat and they can be very agressive. Ones that are kept as pets should only be non-releaseable for this reason. There are very FEW squirrels that will let more than one person touch them. This is normal behavior that your squirrel is beginning to show.

Hold old is your fuzzer?

Thanks for the quick response! I believe Lucky is around 10-12 weeks old.....Thanks again for the help! :)

[philomycus]

That is awful young to attack, if he is that old. But this will get much, much, worse. Some of them "wild up quickly, almost overnight. I bottle fed my 12 week old this afternnon, and this evening, she chattered at me until she realized I was still the deliverer of a little food.

This little guy won't be able to be kept in captivity. Very few of them can be. Honestly, you need to locate a rehabber in your area and get this little one properly released.

[Ratman]

Thanks for the great help! We will most definately get him the help he needs to be an outdoor squirrel again :)

[philomycus]

There are a few people on the board that will be on here soon, and can give you a list of rehabbers in your area.....

I know your feelings get hurt that something you love with all your heart will do this, but it is a squirrel being a squirrel.....

[Momma Squirrel]

Ratman when Chipper was with us he went through a time where he would come after me and not Squerly. It would get so bad that Squerly had my mom make a sheet sleeping bag I would have to sleep in. Sometimes it would only last a day or two other times a whole week. We could never figure out why he did it and then he just stopped one day and was fine. It only lasted about a month or so off and on.

I know it doesn't help but I just thought I would share my story.

[Al's mom]

My Al is starting to do the same thing. He used to like all people, but today his original owner came for a visit, Al bit him, then he bit me! When he gets scared he doesn't settle back down for a loonggggg time. He eventually got lonely and a little hungry, so he's happy to see me and my family, but I think the wildness is starting to set in. He did this one time before this, but I just thought one of my dogs scared him. I am keeping him outside for longer periods of time now, so he can get used to it, and so he can get away from people and dogs. He is a sweety, but he gets scared and then has a hard time relaxing after a scare.

[Ratman]

I really do LOVE this board! such great people with great idea's and kind words.

It's always sad when a creature turns on you, but we never had plans on making Lucky a pet, just wanted him healthy and big enough to return to the wild.

Rocky, my first rescued squirrel did just fine after I released him.....I saw him for many months afterwards as I walked my mail-route....then one day.....sadly,no more Rocky.

I feel the same way with Lucky, I bought him more time then he had if I wasn't there to rescue him in the first place and the experience has enriched my life like Rocky did once before.

Squirrels belong in trees, running,jumping,climbing.....like my Rattie girls, they are Rodents, but wild rodents, which don't belong in cages.

My Rattie girls love their cage though! lol.....and get pissed when we clean it! Silly ratties!!

[Penelope's Mom]

My girl is a one person squirrel also. I'm the only one who can pet her while she's in her bed, while she's eating, etc. My boyfriend used to care for her while I was at work, and they got along famously, but one day he came over and she chittered at him when he tried to pet her, and has continued that behavior ever since. She's mama's girl. Maybe your squirrel only feels comfortable with other people when you're in the room, and gets insecure when you leave? I don't know, just throwing it out there...

[squirrel princess]

chipper starting being aggressive toward others at that age too. He is 8 months old and absolutely adores me and has never bit me but just play bite when we wrestle. He is not the norm most squirrels wild up and will even bite the hand that feeds them. I always said i would let him make the choice and he did to stay with me I would not thought about keeping him for a second if he showed signs of wanting to be outside and wild. I hate that he is the way he is with other people because i would love to share him especially with my mom and dad who think he is great but i understand that he just loves his mommy and they can sneak a fast rub through his cage sometimes and bring him treats :D good luck with your liitle one there is so much info you can find on TSB to help you with a slow release:D

[4skwerlz]

Sounds like Lucky will be a great "release" squirrel. He will need those aggressive instincts to survive in the wild.

I'm so lucky with my little Henry monster; he loves everybody and has never tried to bite. He's nonreleasable, so release isn't an option.

[Ratman]

Thanks again to everyone for all the great advice :):thankyou