Spanky
11-20-2006, 05:25 PM
Hello, Spanky here. I need some input regarding what to do with Harold and Maude (a brother and sister pair of squirrels). I'll give some background information.
Harold and Maude are 4 and a half months old. They live in a cage that is a comfortable size for both of them to live in and the cage is located in my living room. They are both healthy, have nice fur, eat well, and happy. I rarely take them out of the cage for handling and have no problems slipping food (corn on the cob, grapes, oranges, etc.) in the cage several times a day, or if I put in new toys and whatnot.
Problem #1 -- Harold is very aggressive about food and attacks Maude whenever new food is put into the cage. I don't enjoy his behavior. I've tried squirting him with water when he's acting this way and I have to get him pretty darn wet before he'll let up.
Problem #2 -- I do not want baby squirrels and I'm sure at some point the two are going to be interested in reproducing.
Problem #3 -- Regarding releasing in my backyard: My neighbors and I do not have fenced yards and the next door neighbor's dog, who is outside all the time, HATES squirrels. The dog chases them and I fear if my squirrels came up to visit me outside, the dog would suddenly appear and get one of them. So, I don't think trying to release Harold and Maude in my backyard is a good idea.
Okay, I have a rehabber in my state who has been very cooperative with me. She realizes my family and I have grown very attached to these little critters. And, she basically told me whenever I'm ready for her to rehab 'em, just let her know.
So, considering Harold is attacking Maude, and I don't want baby squirrels ... I phoned the rehabber and talked to her about bringing Harold to her. I really wanted to keep Maude for a while longer ... She's just so cute! And, I love watching her eat and play.
Anyhoo, the rehabber said she was cool with me bringing Harold to her, but informed me, Maude will probably get aggressive too in another month-ish when she begins to come into season.
My question is: Is it in your experience that female squirrels become aggressive towards the food-givers at sexual maturity?
It's not that I plan to get Maude out to "play" with her, but I will need to get into her cage to give her food and toys. I don't want to be sticking in a corn cob and her go tasmanian on my hand.
I'm torn between trying to keep Maude vs giving Maude to the rehabber along with Harold. I want to do the best thing for her. Right now, she's happy with me and I'm happy with her too.
What to do? :dono
Harold and Maude are 4 and a half months old. They live in a cage that is a comfortable size for both of them to live in and the cage is located in my living room. They are both healthy, have nice fur, eat well, and happy. I rarely take them out of the cage for handling and have no problems slipping food (corn on the cob, grapes, oranges, etc.) in the cage several times a day, or if I put in new toys and whatnot.
Problem #1 -- Harold is very aggressive about food and attacks Maude whenever new food is put into the cage. I don't enjoy his behavior. I've tried squirting him with water when he's acting this way and I have to get him pretty darn wet before he'll let up.
Problem #2 -- I do not want baby squirrels and I'm sure at some point the two are going to be interested in reproducing.
Problem #3 -- Regarding releasing in my backyard: My neighbors and I do not have fenced yards and the next door neighbor's dog, who is outside all the time, HATES squirrels. The dog chases them and I fear if my squirrels came up to visit me outside, the dog would suddenly appear and get one of them. So, I don't think trying to release Harold and Maude in my backyard is a good idea.
Okay, I have a rehabber in my state who has been very cooperative with me. She realizes my family and I have grown very attached to these little critters. And, she basically told me whenever I'm ready for her to rehab 'em, just let her know.
So, considering Harold is attacking Maude, and I don't want baby squirrels ... I phoned the rehabber and talked to her about bringing Harold to her. I really wanted to keep Maude for a while longer ... She's just so cute! And, I love watching her eat and play.
Anyhoo, the rehabber said she was cool with me bringing Harold to her, but informed me, Maude will probably get aggressive too in another month-ish when she begins to come into season.
My question is: Is it in your experience that female squirrels become aggressive towards the food-givers at sexual maturity?
It's not that I plan to get Maude out to "play" with her, but I will need to get into her cage to give her food and toys. I don't want to be sticking in a corn cob and her go tasmanian on my hand.
I'm torn between trying to keep Maude vs giving Maude to the rehabber along with Harold. I want to do the best thing for her. Right now, she's happy with me and I'm happy with her too.
What to do? :dono