Does anyone know if they can eat

[Tara]

caterpillars? My fiance came in from working and all 3 squirrels attacked his back. They must have an awesome sense of smell. We finally got them to stop digging into his back, and realized that there was a dead caterpillar under his shirt. Were they trying to eat it? If so...can they have them?

[mugzeezma]

caterpillars? My fiance came in from working and all 3 squirrels attacked his back. They must have an awesome sense of smell. We finally got them to stop digging into his back, and realized that there was a dead caterpillar under his shirt. Were they trying to eat it? If so...can they have them?
If they are hairless caterpillars, yes, they LOVE them.

[Tara]

they're eastern tent caterpillars...aka Malacosoma americana – Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moths. They do have hairs. Guess it's a no. Thanks mugz!

[Rhapsody]

When you say NO HAIR...... I guess you are talking about the green ones?
http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/-caterpillar-identification-page-3-.html

[mugzeezma]

they're eastern tent caterpillars...aka Malacosoma americana – Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moths. They do have hairs. Guess it's a no. Thanks mugz!

Yup
They aren't so much poisonous as seriously irritating.
Some species more so than others with the bristles actually containing venom.

[mugzeezma]

When you say NO HAIR...... I guess you are talking about the green ones?
Oh they LOVE those big tomato caterpillars!!!
The big white beetle grubs you find in the lawn are especially yummy!
do beware however
Any type of spines will potentially be venomous whether long or short.

[Rhapsody]

do beware however
Any type of spines will potentially be venomous whether long or short.
:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Tara]

:) Thanks again! I had one on me today! We can't step outside without them getting on us right now! The squirrels DIG like crazy on our clothes wherever they have been!
I'll have to find them some regular grubs. I saw some when I was planting my garden. I should have kept them. lol!

BTW-my 3 squirrels were all brought back in after the drama from the tree falling on their cage. Would you believe they will NOT go back into their NESTBOX!?!?!?!? I'm assuming that's where they were during the storm, and when the tree landed on them...
Any ideas on that? I have cleaned it, washed the linens, tried to put them in while I had the top off...but they're not participating. I would like to get them back outside to get ready for release. THX!

[mugzeezma]

:) Thanks again! I had one on me today! We can't step outside without them getting on us right now! The squirrels DIG like crazy on our clothes wherever they have been!
I'll have to find them some regular grubs. I saw some when I was planting my garden. I should have kept them. lol!

BTW-my 3 squirrels were all brought back in after the drama from the tree falling on their cage. Would you believe they will NOT go back into their NESTBOX!?!?!?!? I'm assuming that's where they were during the storm, and when the tree landed on them...
Any ideas on that? I have cleaned it, washed the linens, tried to put them in while I had the top off...but they're not participating. I would like to get them back outside to get ready for release. THX!
Get one of those cloth cubes?
a cardboard box?
anything that's different
Even a hammock and give them a roll of toilet paper to nest with.
Finnagin has a hanging Teepee after he chewed up his nestbox(boogerhead). I gave him a roll of TP and he's loaded it past bulging!

[Tara]

Get one of those cloth cubes?
a cardboard box?
anything that's different
Even a hammock and give them a roll of toilet paper to nest with.
Finnagin has a hanging Teepee after he chewed up his nestbox(boogerhead). I gave him a roll of TP and he's loaded it past bulging!

past bulging...LOL! I was just thinking that I couldn't/shouldn't take them back out until they feel that their nest box is safe again...that way if a racoon or possum should come up and try to get into their cage, they would still have a safe haven?
They're mad at me now, because I just showed them their pecans and threw them into the box. They ran in, grabbed them, and ran out. I've blocked them so that they can't sleep in the bottom where they have been...at least for a bit to see if they will go into their box.

[mugzeezma]

past bulging...LOL! I was just thinking that I couldn't/shouldn't take them back out until they feel that their nest box is safe again...that way if a racoon or possum should come up and try to get into their cage, they would still have a safe haven?
They're mad at me now, because I just showed them their pecans and threw them into the box. They ran in, grabbed them, and ran out. I've blocked them so that they can't sleep in the bottom where they have been...at least for a bit to see if they will go into their box.

I'd have to see the set up but I'm thinking that perhaps if you built a shelf on the front of the box that they could lie on until they get used to it.

[Tara]

They have a "porch" and they will get on that.

I have managed to get 2 out of 3 in the box!!!! Hooray! Big Girl has decided that she would rather not. :( She's sitting next to me on the dresser.

Spoiled BRAT! LOL! Don't ya just luv 'em!?!?!?

[mugzeezma]

Spoiled BRAT! LOL! Don't ya just luv 'em!?!?!?
NO!:D
Have you seen my earlobes lately???