Baby squirrel, temperature?

[Peko]

Hey everybody, I've found an orphaned baby squirrel and am trying to care for it. I've done a lot of reading, but have not found a specific temperature maintain inside the box I keep him in. I've found that the appropriate body temperature is around 99 degrees. I've also searched these forums and have found no direct answer.

Can anyone provide an answer, please?

[island rehabber]

Hey everybody, I've found an orphaned baby squirrel and am trying to care for it. I've done a lot of reading, but have not found a specific temperature maintain inside the box I keep him in. I've found that the appropriate body temperature is around 99 degrees. I've also searched these forums and have found no direct answer.

Can anyone provide an answer, please?

Hi Peko. I keep a little monitor in my pinkie tank with a remote read-out in another room so I can make sure the babies are always toasty. 80-85 degrees seems to be best for very young squirrels (less than 3 wks old). Too hot and they will dehydrate. Hope that helps you!

[Peko]

thank you for your quick response. I have the temp inside his box at 85, but his little body doesn't feel as warm as it should be.

[island rehabber]

thank you for your quick response. I have the temp inside his box at 85, but his little body doesn't feel as warm as it should be.
I would raise it, then, to 88-89*. What type of bedding are you using? Cotton T-shirts and the like don't hold in the heat very well -- if you've ever been in a winter storm wearing blue jeans you know what I mean -- so you might want to try fleece or even an old woolen scarf. Once you feel that his body is the right temp you could lower the heat a bit.

[Anne]

:Welcome :Welcome Peko, thank you for helping the baby squirrel. I would love to hear more about him/her. Is this a pinkie (newborn-no hair) or an older baby?
Hope you have had a chance to look around and read all the goodies about raising babies, lots of good information. Let us know if we can help in anyway.

[Peko]

Hi,

Sorry for the delay in responding to all. I have switched to fleece fabric, and his body temp is ok now.

I am feeding Peanut with a syringe (no nipple) from the pet store, and I'm sure it is too big, and he isn't getting to suck on anything. I was just reading the boards, and will order the 1cc syringe with nipples tonight. Should I order the sample kit?

Thanks much.