Does this squirrel need help?

[Baxied]

Okay, while I was cooking dinner last night I noticed a squirrel just hanging out on a nestbox in the backyard. It is really cold here, and I wasn't seeing any other squirrels out, so I just sort of kept an eye on him/her. He did move around some and seemed as though he may have been trying to get into the box but couldn't for whatever reason. He didn't seem physically handicapped in any way. His main posture was just hunched over which I assume was to stay warm. I'm thinking maybe another squirrel took over the nestbox and was keeping him out and I assumed that he would move on to find another spot to spend the night.

Now that it is beginning to be daylight the little bugger is still there on top of the nestbox and it is 17 degrees here! He is just hunched over. UGH!!! Is this normal?

[Nancy in New York]

Okay, while I was cooking dinner last night I noticed a squirrel just hanging out on a nestbox in the backyard. It is really cold here, and I wasn't seeing any other squirrels out, so I just sort of kept an eye on him/her. He did move around some and seemed as though he may have been trying to get into the box but couldn't for whatever reason. He didn't seem physically handicapped in any way. His main posture was just hunched over which I assume was to stay warm. I'm thinking maybe another squirrel took over the nestbox and was keeping him out and I assumed that he would move on to find another spot to spend the night.

Now that it is beginning to be daylight the little bugger is still there on top of the nestbox and it is 17 degrees here! He is just hunched over. UGH!!! Is this normal?

No not normal at all...Can you see if you can get him? Hunched over can mean pain, perhaps he fell and can't get into the box or just chose that for a spot to sleep...Have things ready like a container to put him in, and low heat going before you go out. Good Luck this little one needs help ASAP...

[Jackie in Tampa]

sounds like he maybe in distress...
hunched in that weather maybe just exhibiting cold, but can also indicate problems...but why he isn't in a nest box is a big indication...he needs some intervention.
feed him...make sure he can eat...before you attempt to catch him...
watch his hands while he climbs...if he isn't able to grip due to injury...get the trap out and try while it is feeding time...
If you do decide to trap, have everything ready...cage, RR, gloves heating pads etc...use something with a strong aroma as bait....peanut butter, corn,
pecans...
good luck, bundle up BIG!
EDIT>>>THAT NIN IS A SUPER FAST TYPER!wow

[Nancy in New York]

sounds like he maybe in distress...
hunched in that weather maybe just exhibiting cold, but can also indicate problems...but why he isn't in a nest box is a big indication...he needs some intervention.
feed him...make sure he can eat...before you attempt to catch him...
watch his hands while he climbs...if he isn't able to grip due to injury...get the trap out and try while it is feeding time...
If you do decide to trap, have everything ready...cage, RR, gloves heating pads etc...use something with a strong aroma as bait....peanut butter, corn,
pecans...
good luck, bundle up BIG!
EDIT>>>THAT NIN IS A SUPER FAST TYPER!wow
You just have more to say Miss Jackie...:D

[Baxied]

Okay I am bundled up and heading out. The nestbox is high, so unless he is one of the fab 5 that I released in October, I don't know that I'll be able to get to him. The box is on the other side of the creek and the water is HIGH right now. I may get wet. LOL!! I'll report back.

[Jackie in Tampa]

oh...good luck...water and freezing are yucky!
be careful in the tree if you are going to climb...is someone there to help?....omg...be careful!

[Baxied]

UGH!!! As I approached he ran up the tree! He seemed physically fine though, but he was frightened and that can mask things. I am just kicking myself for not checking on him last night! If he is there in the same spot this afternoon I will have hubby carry the BIG BIG ladder across the creek so that I can get to that nestbox. (I see lots of sexual favors being offered for that!!!)

In the meantime I put lots of nuts and Wildbites around that tree so that he has easy access to food.

I will keep you posted!

[Nancy in New York]

UGH!!! As I approached he ran up the tree! He seemed physically fine though, but he was frightened and that can mask things. I am just kicking myself for not checking on him last night! If he is there in the same spot this afternoon I will have hubby carry the BIG BIG ladder across the creek so that I can get to that nestbox. (I see lots of sexual favors being offered for that!!!)

In the meantime I put lots of nuts and Wildbites around that tree so that he has easy access to food.

I will keep you posted!

Thanks for checking on him...:grouphug Do you really need the ladder that bad?:rotfl

[Jackie in Tampa]

Thanks for checking on him...:grouphug Do you really need the ladder that bad?:rotfl
hey...stop that...I need Fred and don't have time for favors!:rotfl
My MO.....get the ladder or you wear dirty clothes and eat peanuts!!:rotfl



good luck on second shift!

[virgo062]

UGH!!! (I see lots of sexual favors being offered for that!!!)



:jump

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

I had this same thing a year or so ago. A squirrel was living in one of my nestboxes, and we had a cold snap. Those boxes get really attractive when we get temperatures like this. Another squirrel moved in the box while the previous resident was out getting dinner. The original occupant could then not get in the box. Every time he tried, there was snarling and snapping coming from inside the box. The previous occupant hung out on a limb hunched over with his tail over his back for 2 days, including one evening in falling sleet.

I made another nestbox and hung it on the adjacent tree within the 2 days, but by then, the little guy had moved on.

[mpetys]

Thanks for checking on him...:grouphug Do you really need the ladder that bad?:rotfl
hahahahahahahahaha

[virgo062]

hahahahahahahahaha

I would rather shimmy up that tree naked......

[Baxied]

Okay, the little guy is not on the nestbox, but I see someone just hanging out over a hole in an adjacent tree. It seems to want in, but whenever he tries to get in another squirrel pokes it's head out and keeps it away. UGH!!!! I had an apparent hostile takeover of another nestbox last week, and I'm thinking that this has happened again. They all seem to be jockeying for places to spend the cold winter like ASG said. I do have another nestbox that I was going to use for Cecil when she is released this spring, but I will go ahead and hang it this afternoon. Maybe this will solve the problem.

Of course, I will not be able to hang it myself, but I am a shrewd negotiator. It took me months to pay off the favors promised when hubby built the release cage. :tilt I learned my lesson well!!!

[virgo062]

yes ma'am....Building a release cage requires much more favors than just a nest box...Don't let him bully you:rotfl

You are a good girl (smile)