How do I calm down my squirrel?

[chell28]

Last september we rescued a baby squirrel and now he is older and im afraid to let him go because im not sure he will be able to get everything he needs in the wild. He used to be good just running around the house and doing his own thing, but a few weeks ago he started to just bit my boyfriend. Is there anything i can give him to make him calm down and be nice again?

[Jackie in Tampa]

Welcome to TSB!:Welcome :wave123
As sqs mature they bond to a single person most times. Some just wild up and want freedomn.
If he is wilding up, a soft release is needed...I do nt recommend a hard relaese!
A sturdy safe cage is required away from pets and populated areas and preferably near trees in a well shaded area.
Hopefully others will chime in with good advise!
Thank you for getting to the greatest source of sq info on the web!
:wave123

[virgo062]

Hi Chell28, How old is your baby? Sounds like he may just be wilding up or as previous discussions lately on male greys he may have claimed you as his own and this is his way of telling the other male in the picture to back off.

If he is wilding up there will be nothing you can do to calm him. Like you could calm him anyway...You can't...sorry. Why do you think he is not releaseable? Could you possibly send him to a rehabber that can help him along with the process? This happens way to often. they are oh so cute as a baby then all hell breaks loose in about 6 months.

Would you like more information on how to try and help him relocate to the wild?

[chell28]

Yes, I would.
I was going to do it in FL as soon as we had him on solid food, but then we ended up moving to ND and I cant find anyone around here. I just want him to be happy, we never intended on having him as a pet, and i want to get him back into the wild. I guess i just worry about him not finding a warm place to live in the wild and not find enough food or water....it sounds stupid, but he kind of became my baby, and i dont want to let him out and have him die.

[virgo062]

I guess i just worry about him not finding a warm place to live in the wild and not find enough food or water....it sounds stupid, but he kind of became my baby, and i dont want to let him out and have him die.

No it's not stupid at all...We all cry when we release our babies and stand outside in the pitch dark to make sure they are ok then we get up at sunrise standing outside calling their name. Then we all post on this site that we have release another one and everyone here crys too

First...I know he has the run of your house but do you have a outside cage. one with legs to protect him from creatures of the night?

[chell28]

His cage is a giant bird cage and its inside.

[virgo062]

I don't think the bars will be strong enough to keep out a Raccoon that wants in to do harm to your baby. he has to be protected from outdoor preditors. Let's see what others think

[virgo062]

Will you be releasing him out your backdoor?

I released several squirrels just by taking them outside for a few hours a day for playtime but they ALWAYS came when I called them. This went on for several weeks each time we would go out they stayed just a little bit longer each time until one day they just did not come back in the house. Now it worked for me and they are still outside living wild and happy and come home for freebies often. Most people like the outdoor cage method and I did this with my last 3 and those little bums have never come back

[virgo062]

BUT the release cage is the best way....

[chell28]

Well right now we are in an apartment, and there are a ton of people that we live around. I am not sure it would be safe for other people if i tried to let him out around here. I thought about just leaving the window open which has a tree right next to it open and let im come and go, but i dont want him to think that someone outside is one of us and have him go up to them and realize its not them and then freak out, because he would, and he bites hard when he is upset, and i dont want to be responsible for him attacking someone. Is there any place i could take im to get help releasing him?

But then again, im really just worried about him being able to survive a winter here...and getting everything he needs.

[virgo062]

hmmm opening the window is not a good idea. I would check around for a rehabber to evaluate him to see if he even is releasable then do a soft release.

[virgo062]

Anyone know of a rehabber in this area to help woth this squirrel????

[chell28]

How would i go about finding one. I called the wildlife place here the other day and they had no idea what to tell me. It was kind of a hard day, i know he needs to be outside, but i dont want to do it the wrong way. I keep thinking if he cant do it, then he is better off here, but if he can, then he is better off there, with other squirrels.

[CritterMom]

Um, do any of the rehabbers see a problem with releasing a Florida squirrel in North Dakota? Rather different climate!

I know that the squirrels up here in New England are half again the size of Florida squirrels (except for Jackie's :D ). Is it also true of North Central squirrels? North Dakota is CRAZY cold in the winter...

[virgo062]

So try to release it in open space so it can be friendly with everybody.

What? :nono This squirrel should be afraid of everything. :nono

[BareFootAviary]

If you need help, please let me know. I don't know where in ND you are, but I am in Fargo. I can give you a # of a lady I know of who can probably help.

[CritterMom]

OK, I said this earlier, but I think it got skipped...so I'm gonna shout:

This is a FLORIDA squirrel that you are talking about releasing in NORTH DAKOTA.
Does anyone besides me see a problem here? Cetainly there are genetic differences that the ND squirrels have evolved to deal with the BITTER, FREAKING cold there. I was born in Montana - Maine is cold but it is like the TROPICS by comparison.

Please, please look into this! The last thing you want to do is put your baby in danger!

[scoobysnack]

I know nothing of how squirrels take to different climates but I've had lots of Florida horses go to very cold climates and do just fine. They were born and raised here, lived many years here, got shipped to places like North Dakota, Canada, Minnesota and managed to survive well. They will get the coat required when the light changes and the temperature drops.

As I said, that's horses, I don't know about squirrels. If it would be a problem I wonder if a squirrel "train" could be arranged to get this guy back to Florida for one of the rehabbers here to soft release. I'm not a rehabber nor am I volunteering. Just thinking out loud.

[island rehabber]

chell has not posted since 5/18....I will PM them to see if there is an update on this squirrel. Unfortunately, because this thread was originally posted in the 'wrong' forum most of us missed it altogether until now...:shakehead