Bad Dreams

[Josephina]

What do you recommend if your squirrel often has bad dreams? Normally she is a happy squirrel, except that my schedule changed and I was away for a day a few weeks ago.:dono

[JLM27]

How old is she?

[Kristal]

How can you tell she is having bad dreams?

[Josephina]

Hi there! Well, I can tell she's having a bad dream because she wimpers in her sleep.

[Josephina]

How old is she?

She's approximately one year and a half.

[Kristal]

Well... dreams are kind of like practice for what we do in waking life, some people think. For example if you study a lot and then sleep, you will dream a lot about what you are studying as your brain processes it into long term memory. There is a strong relationship between sleep and long term memory. Sleeping after learning a new thing makes it more likely that we will be able to recall, understand and act on them later...

So my long point is that maybe this is her wild nature keeping her ready to deal with predators? Squirrels are very naturally vigilant, and maybe her dreaming self has decided that it is best to not get too comfortable in the world - or even that she would feel better dealing with a dreamed threat instead of always looking for one and never finding it in her waking life. She comes from a long line of tragically tasty survivors, so maybe this is just a bit of that very strong survival instinct playing itself out in her dreams.

[Josephina]

Good points.

However, I listened to her again this morning and it is possible that she is not actually whimpering but snoring. I wish I had a recorder, as I would record it. I may purchase one and put a link to it here so people can tell me what they think it is.

Thinking about what you said on the other hand, she has been showing signs of fear of things flying outside (even while she is in the safety of being indoors). She's terrified of (get this) airplanes, especially ones that fly low. Geese, or especially the sound of one lonely goose, make her freeze, but a cackling blackbird makes her very concerned.

A friend told me recently that he spotted a hawk swooping down and picking up a squirrel in about the same area of where Josephina stays (indoors). I hope she didn't see it or hear the struggle. I realize everyone has to eat, but I would have run that hawk off had I been there at the time. Coincidentally, since about that time she has been fearful of even looking outside except until just yesterday (that was about a month of avoiding the windows).

[Pierre]

Being afraid of low flying planes, geese etc is a good instinct--hawks are everywhere.

I think sqs just dream, like we do and our dogs, and it's normal. My little guy sometimes squeaks or makes cute mumbling sounds while fast asleep. Happy as a clam when he wakes up. :)

[crazysquirrels]

I warn you. DO NOT wake her. Talula was whinning in her sleep a few weeks ago. I woke her up and tried to hold her. I believe she was having a bad dream. Well When she woke up and I was there she freaked out. It took me 15 min to calm her down. But she does alot and is very vocal while dreaming. Sometimes I get whipmers, crying, barking, and some other sounds I am not sure of. But all is good 99% of the time when she wakes.

[Josephina]

Being afraid of low flying planes, geese etc is a good instinct--hawks are everywhere.

I think sqs just dream, like we do and our dogs, and it's normal. My little guy sometimes squeaks or makes cute mumbling sounds while fast asleep. Happy as a clam when he wakes up. :)


Ha! He's mumbling in his sleep! I wonder if in his dreams he can speak in English? That's a scary thought! I wonder what he's trying to say. lol


Krystal, That is a very good point to consider, that she is playing out her instincts in her dreams. Thanks!

Crazysquirrels, thanks for the advice! I'll keep it in mind. Also, where can I find more pictures of your adorable Talula? She sounds like such a sweetie whenever I read about her.

[crazysquirrels]

I have, I think, a great video of her playing. Will post it up tonight.

[Pierre]

Ha! He's mumbling in his sleep! I wonder if in his dreams he can speak in English? That's a scary thought! I wonder what he's trying to say. lol




Ha ha! Yes, he dreams in color and speaks fluent English! The Queen's English of course, mind you.... ;)

[Kristal]

I have, I think, a great video of her playing. Will post it up tonight.

Looking forward to seeing that :)