Mystery baby

[jo_schmoe]

I got a call from a tree trimmer....found a nest of babies and one dead mama. I never did see the "nest" or the dead mama.....he just handed me a Mcdonalds cup full of 7 of these guys. I haven't a clue what they are....I am thinking moles. At first I thought vowls but I am not sure. Im thinking they might be moles. Any clues guys?? I am going to make the pic big so you can see the lack of eyes and ears.

[jo_schmoe]

bump

[Rescue04]

i was thinking armdillo...but it cant be since it was in a tree? i have no idea....hopefully someone will know. hubby says maybe mole.

[Hannah]

To me, it looks like a rodent. They seem to lack whiskers -- that rules out rats, mice, squirrels, and lemmings. It doesn't look like a large rodent, so I'd go with vole. Plus voles are common here, and probably in North Dakota as well.

I think mugzeezma had the same opinion, so that make me feel a little more confident.

I can't say for sure they are not moles, though.

In any case, good luck with them, jo_schmoe. :wave123

[Rescue04]

i did a quick search...it seems to look more like a mole than anything else. i guess only time will tell. no matter what...it deserves a chance to live. keep us updated on the babies!!

[djarenspace9]

I can confirm those are not armadillos...they only have 4 babies
(always 4 and always the same gender!)
:jump :jump :jump :jump :jump

I have no idea what they are either...I've only seen one mole up close.
Found it crying outside my house one morning and it was precious and soft and furry.
He died within an hour, by the time I arrived to a rehabber for help.

[djarenspace9]

Is there a tail? Can't tell in the pic. That would be another clue...

[Rescue04]

lol....i think we all are going to up all nite til we figure this mystery out!! :)

[JLM27]

North American Tree Vole?

[Hannah]

OK, I think voles are also born with whiskers. If your babies don't have whiskers, I have a new guess: western pocket gopher -- I don't know if they have them.

Newborn moles also have whiskers. Of course, just because I don't see them in the picture doesn't mean your babies don't have tiny ones. :)

[mugzeezma]

OK, I think voles are also born with whiskers. If your babies don't have whiskers, I have a new guess: western pocket gopher -- I don't know if they have them.

Newborn moles also have whiskers. Of course, just because I don't see them in the picture doesn't mean your babies don't have tiny ones. :)

The whiskers on pinky voles are very very fine..

Pocket Gopher?
Mole?
These are burrowing animals that make their nests in underground chambers...very rare to see one above ground at this age unless they were dug up and that would have to be a SIZEABLE excavation. As far as I know they burrow fairly deep.

Jill are you sure that soft baby wasn't a shrew? They do look similar to moles with rubbery wiggly noses...very cute.

Armadillo? :rotfl
That would be fun wouldn't it?
I don't think they have migrated that far north though.

[jo_schmoe]

Yep..they have whiskers....very very tiny. A friend of ours just stopped by and he thought that maybe they were mink. :dono
Im still leaning towards voles. Anyway...they are sure cute...and good eaters!!! Its a little tricky, drop by drop. But they all ate well and got poohs out of everyone. I tried to see who were boys and girls....no one has any parts really. At least none that I can see.

[jo_schmoe]

Yep..they have whiskers....very very tiny. A friend of ours just stopped by and he thought that maybe they were mink. :dono
Im still leaning towards voles. Anyway...they are sure cute...and good eaters!!! Its a little tricky, drop by drop. But they all ate well and got poohs out of everyone. I tried to see who were boys and girls....no one has any parts really. At least none that I can see.
Nope...not mink..too small. We are just going to go with voles....and see what happens.

[Lulu2010]

How adorable. At least we have another mystery thread to watch out for. I can't wait to see what they end up being. :jump

[jo_schmoe]

How adorable. At least we have another mystery thread to watch out for. I can't wait to see what they end up being. :jump
Well, I had to run up to the store and get milk for my human family....and guess who was there....MY VET!!!! I showed him the pics I had on my phone. Dr Motter said they are meadow voles....feed them about 30-40% of their body weight split up between 6-8 feedings. And great advice Mugs!!! He said to feed them exactly how you did. He then chuckled and said, " Ms Escobar....is there nothing you wont save". Nope....not a damn thing......cept maybe a spider...yucko!!

[mugzeezma]

Well, I had to run up to the store and get milk for my human family....and guess who was there....MY VET!!!! I showed him the pics I had on my phone. Dr Motter said they are meadow voles....feed them about 30-40% of their body weight split up between 6-8 feedings. And great advice Mugs!!! He said to feed them exactly how you did. He then chuckled and said, " Ms Escobar....is there nothing you wont save". Nope....not a damn thing......cept maybe a spider...yucko!!


...now about that pony

girl, you are gonna be busy
I just got a train wreck in
this guy needs MANY Prayers Amy

[jo_schmoe]

...now about that pony

girl, you are gonna be busy
I just got a train wreck in
this guy needs MANY Prayers Amy
Russ and I are both praying for him. He is in the best of care Mugz....I have more faith in you than you realize. Kathie...you are amazing.:Love_Icon

[jo_schmoe]

...now about that pony

girl, you are gonna be busy
I just got a train wreck in
this guy needs MANY Prayers Amy
Tell me about it Mugz. I just got done feeding the Red Rockers...now feeding the voles.....then will stay up and wait to feed red again....then catch some zzzsss and go to work. Life is grand aint it??:osnap

[mugzeezma]

Tell me about it Mugz. I just got done feeding the Red Rockers...now feeding the voles.....then will stay up and wait to feed red again....then catch some zzzsss and go to work. Life is grand aint it??:osnap
yes Jo it is :Love_Icon
Ever hear a squirrel hiccup? :tilt

[jo_schmoe]

yes Jo it is :Love_Icon
Ever hear a squirrel hiccup? :tilt
No...but I did see one of the voles with the hiccups. Jesse my son pointed it out.....way funny. I do have to say I did hear a squirrel fart though...:rotfl
The things you never in a billion years think you will be a part of......squirrel farts. LMAO

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi Joe
Do you have a sick pony? I was born on Horses!!:rotfl 35 years or raising and showing. :rotfl
How is the flood clean up going?
Good luck with your little babies.:D

[spykitten01]

No...but I did see one of the voles with the hiccups. Jesse my son pointed it out.....way funny. I do have to say I did hear a squirrel fart though...:rotfl
The things you never in a billion years think you will be a part of......squirrel farts. LMAO


:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl You're killin me, smalls! :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl


hahaha oh and btw, im agreeing with the vole consensus - best of luck and keep up the great work!

[jo_schmoe]

:wave123 Hi Joe
Do you have a sick pony? I was born on Horses!!:rotfl 35 years or raising and showing. :rotfl
How is the flood clean up going?
Good luck with your little babies.:D
The flood is getting better. My sump pump on the other hand blew a fuse that not only caused that to stop working but also my big chest freezer downstairs. Probably 500 bucks worth of food I had to throw out. :shakehead Not to mention my spare bag of FV. Whoa...talk about one angry squamma. I was more upset about the FV than the Tbones. (somehow I think you all would understand that)
I don't have any horses....its actually the one animal I am very afraid of. Not really sure why either. But I do have 2 puppies left that are about the size of horses!!! And they are FOR SALE!!!! *hint hint nudge nudge*

[scoobysnack]

OMG Jo.. I'm your worst nightmare! I'm the pony party lady. Phobias are funny. I can't think of anything less frightening than a pony however, bring me to an airport and watch me panic!

Good luck with the voles. I'd try to save em if I could. Heck I have to resist pulling the pinky mice out of the snake food tanks. I can't go in pet stores for obvious reasons. LOL

[jo_schmoe]

I have tried for YEARS to get over that phobia....but just can't....its something to do with their teeth. ( yeah....im a strange one but ya'll know that )

Before I get windy with my story....anyone know where I can get some .5 cc syringes?? I tried Chris but they are on backorder.

Update on the voles. All are doing very well. We had one MIA for awhile. You should have seen the Schmoe household. Every member had flashlights and was tearing through the rehab room for what seemed like forever. I got this sick sinking feeling in my gut....I just knew he had to have climbed out somehow.....( this still baffles me) and then gave the dog a filthy look.
Turns out....that little booger climbed all the way up the pile of fleece....fell down the side of the container....onto the floor....crawled into the register vent and way down into the shaft about 4 1/2 feet. Something tells me they really like to burrow (duh)...he found the one place he could burrow lower.
Jesse went and grabbed a long stick...and we tried and tried but couldn't reach him. I then thought....why not stick some tape on the end of the stick and see if I can get him to stick. It worked!!! He is safe and sound....and all snuggly warm again. Lesson learned!!! No matter how small....or how much you THINK they cant possibly climb that high.....THEY WILL FIND A WAY!!!
Man....I don't think I was ever so happy to see a tiny little bean in my entire life. Sorry buddy.....it won't happen again.

[SammysMom]

Okay Joe...that was my laugh for the day....:jump :jump :jump
P.S. I was talking about squirrel farts NOT pony phobias...lol

[jo_schmoe]

Okay Joe...that was my laugh for the day....:jump :jump :jump
P.S. I was talking about squirrel farts NOT pony phobias...lol
LOL...oh...I thought you were laughing about how I managed to tape a vole. LMAO.

[Lulu2010]

Well, I had to run up to the store and get milk for my human family....and guess who was there....MY VET!!!! I showed him the pics I had on my phone. Dr Motter said they are meadow voles....feed them about 30-40% of their body weight split up between 6-8 feedings. And great advice Mugs!!! He said to feed them exactly how you did. He then chuckled and said, " Ms Escobar....is there nothing you wont save". Nope....not a damn thing......cept maybe a spider...yucko!!

Awww. Dr Motter spoiled the surprise. LOL. :D It will still be exciting to watch them develop so please keep us updated and don't be afraid to post more pics! :wahoo

[jo_schmoe]

Sadly I just lost 2 about 10 mins ago. Don't know why....don't know how. I wish I knew more about these little creatures. I wonder if they could be lactose intolerant like rats. :dono Goats milk??? :thinking
They were all started on 3/1 FV...now they are on 2.5/1 FV. I will keep trying my hardest....they are just sooooo very tiny. Heres what I mean.

[jo_schmoe]

sorry bout that...forgot to resize. :sanp3
This is about to sound nutso.....so bear with me.
I can't find any "parts" on these guys....even with my granny glasses on. No little nubs at all.
It also appears that they pooh and pee out of the same place. :thinking
Maybe its just so tiny I can't see it....but I have looked and looked and nada....right now they all have Ken crotches....sorry...:rotfl . Dont really know how else to explain it.
I will say this.....after feeding something that tiny.....the brothers seem like they are ginormous.

[Ronda]

So sorry to hear about losing 2 of them...they are so tiny and delicate. :grouphug

[jo_schmoe]

Well, they are taking the FV much better than yesterday. They have some strange colored pooh.....grassy green. I am thinking this is normal as its probably still leftovers from mom. I found a good site that tells about care and diet ( they say to use esbilac.....but it aint happenin) and the main source of food for voles is grass seed and roots.
They must develop extremely fast because I am starting to see what looks like eyes. Tiny little dark circles are developing.

[pappy1264]

Gliders 'go' both out of one place.....interesting.....they (gliders) have a cloaca. Do any of the suspected critters they might be have 'one' opening like that in any info you can find?

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

They look like baby moles to me :Love_Icon. The little noses and the way the front legs are spread pretty wide. Too cute whatever they are!

Sorry you lost 2 of the little tykes, they are soooooooooooooooooooo hard when they are soooooooooooooooooooooo tiny! You are doing an amazing job, keep up the good work :thumbsup

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Gliders 'go' both out of one place.....interesting.....they (gliders) have a cloaca. Do any of the suspected critters they might be have 'one' opening like that in any info you can find?

I think marsupials are the only mammals like that and since our only marsupial is possies and these guys aren't possums, then probably just can't see both openings because they are so small.

[pappy1264]

That answered my question....lol

[jo_schmoe]

:sad Lost another one. Even though its extremely upsetting given the fact that I still havent been to bed yet trying to help these little ones fight for life....I know that I am trying my hardest. I wish there were more info about them out there. Can't even find a pic of a vole or a mole this tiny. We will continue to try....hubby will be home in 30 mins and we can tackle this together and hopefully catch a nap. I am WAYYYYYYYY zombified!!
C'mon little beans....fight!!

[jo_schmoe]

Ya know....maybe they can't take the FV??? I hate to try and switch them to something else like that though....could be asking for more problems. Anyone know??

[JLM27]

They might need enzymes and good bacterias that they get from mommie. Have you tried adding a probiotic? I think marsupials are like preemies. ARE they marsupials?

[CritterMom]

I was told human soy baby formula - like similac - for Nate and that is what I used. He was a lot more developed than these little guys, though.

[pappy1264]

Well, you can always try the goats milk and add tiny bit of full fat yogurt and see how they do. It is all a crap shoot, esp. not knowing what exactly you are dealing with. Sorry you lost another one. It is so hard to be fighting so hard for and with them and suffering losses. Hang in there and remember, no matter what happens, know you gave them a chance, they had NONE without you!!!

[pappy1264]

Found this.......


http://www.avidpet.com/rodents-orphan-babies.html

[pappy1264]

Your babies sure look like this guy (well, he is getting the grey marking of fur...but look at the body) This is a baby vole

[mugzeezma]

OMG Jo.. I'm your worst nightmare! I'm the pony party lady.

:rolf:rotfl:rolf:rotfl:rolf

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

If you are worried they aren't digesting, I'd mix their formula half fox valley and half the goats milk recipe. Probiotics can't hurt!

They are not marsupials JLM.

[mugzeezma]

If you are worried they aren't digesting, I'd mix their formula half fox valley and half the goats milk recipe. Probiotics can't hurt!

This recipe seems to be the best for pinkies as a whole from what I am hearing...can't hurt to try this first.

[jo_schmoe]

no, they aren't marsupials.
Paps, they do look just like that...just darker with smaller ears. That could just be the difference between prairie voles and meadow voles though. Im pretty positive thats what they are.

Now...the goats milk I have is evaporated and in a can. How much should I dillute the gm before I add it to the FV?? I think this is worth a shot. Getting ready to feed them again in about 15 mins. I do believe it to be a digestive issue. The ones that have passed had the grassy green color pooh...they one hanging on have the yellow FV pooh. :thinking

[asweetdiversion]

What would you guys do without me??? This is a baby ( miniature ) hippopotamus and they are native to umm, Florida and Guam only. If you feed them after midnight they turn into funny looking things with big ears that bite so just to be safe only feed in the early mornings. ( teeheehee )

[mugzeezma]

What would you guys do without me??? This is a baby ( miniature ) hippopotamus and they are native to umm, Florida and Guam only. If you feed them after midnight they turn into funny looking things with big ears that bite so just to be safe only feed in the early mornings. ( teeheehee )

AaacK where have you been hiding?


YOU win the PONY!

[asweetdiversion]

Mugzeezma can I trade my winnings in on a years worth of FV, I have already had a pony.

I've been around. I am still trying to teach that Naughty little Jewel of mine to be a squirrel and staying busy. Don't you think this is a vole?

[UDoWhat]

This recipe seems to be the best for pinkies as a whole from what I am hearing...can't hurt to try this first.
Hi Jo, I third the motion on the floor. The member named Wonkawillie had alot of trouble with her pinkies in the beginning. (Squirrels) She did the half FV and half JIT GM Temp. formula recipe and turned things around quickly. I found the specific thread where this is discussed and will post it here for you. Like you have time to read anythnig. But when you can... http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27679 I found it interesting and she documents growth and progress in other threads as well. I had a similar experience with FV and one tiny day old pinkie last Fall and could not figure it out in time.

Marty

[jo_schmoe]

Just lost #4. Man....talk about feeling like one big huge failure....I know I said I wasn't going to beat myself up but enough is enough. I just dont get it. They eat well...pooh well....are fountains of pee....they are warm and in a very quiet dark area.
I want to try the goats milk in the FV as I thinks its their last chance. I have canned evaporated goats milk. How much water do I add to make it normal goats milk. I cannot get to the store to get the refrigerated kind. The closet one that would have it is in Fargo and thats almost 2 hrs away.

[mugzeezma]

Mugzeezma can I trade my winnings in on a years worth of FV, I have already had a pony.

I've been around. I am still trying to teach that Naughty little Jewel of mine to be a squirrel and staying busy. Don't you think this is a vole?

yes
I think it's a vole as much because I can't think of what else it could be as it just all adds up...I've also handled pinky voles and that's pretty much what they look like.
Pinkies are so embryonic looking that it's a bit hard to tell.

can I have the pony then?
My lawnmower's busted

AMY I'll call you in a bit...feeding the crew

[jo_schmoe]

yes
I think it's a vole as much because I can't think of what else it could be as it just all adds up...I've also handled pinky voles and that's pretty much what they look like.
Pinkies are so embryonic looking that it's a bit hard to tell.

can I have the pony then?
My lawnmower's busted

AMY I'll call you in a bit...feeding the crew
Thanks Mugz. I will PM you a different number....Alltel just did the switch over to ATT today....and guess who didn't recieve their new phone.....ha.....me of course. If you call my number you get a recording that says I havent set up my voice mail. :shakehead Yeah...cuz the *beepers* never sent me the proper ATT phone. They said its in route...just like they said 2 months ago. I went off on some poor lady this afternoon about it...and now they say they will overnight it to me.

[jo_schmoe]

ok, heres something weird.....today the beans all have 2 small white stripes on their sides. I will try and get a pic. Im still way baffled.

[DipityDane]

Ooooh the plot thickens!!!:jump

[jo_schmoe]

ok...lost #5. Guys...Im completely exhausted trying to figure this out....but I can't just give up ya know.
Im going to post in Life threatening and see if there is someone that may know something.
Can't find much info on voles....I am basing their needs on the needs of mice and rats.

[gs1]

:grouphug i've nothing to add...hope the last 2 make it.... if like mice/rats then it's close to impossible to raise them.....but you knew that going in....:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Rainy9]

I'm really sorry about all this happening. I wish I knew something that would help.

Not sure if it'll do ya any good at this point, but I think I found a site that sells 0.5 cc feeding syringes.

http://stores.cagenbird.com/Detail.bok?no=109

:grouphug

[jo_schmoe]

I'm really sorry about all this happening. I wish I knew something that would help.

Not sure if it'll do ya any good at this point, but I think I found a site that sells 0.5 cc feeding syringes.

http://stores.cagenbird.com/Detail.bok?no=109

:grouphug
Thanks Rainy and gs1. The last 2 are still staying tough. I did a round of pedialite this time and will do another. Im not going to feed the FV for these guys anymore. One seemed to die about an hour after every feeding. Im almost positive thats whats pickin them off. But I really don't know. I am basing this all on the info on rats and mice.....no info on voles....if thats even what they are.
Here are the things that appeared on their sides today. Both sides have this same stripe thing. :thinking

I was also reading more on baby rat diets....and they simply can't handle lactose at all. They will slowly start dieing. Exactly what has happened here. Sounds like there is quite a bit of luck with soy based infant formula for them. I will do 2 feedings of pedialite and when store opens at 6 am I will try the soy formula. Im really out of ideas. Lemme know if you guys can think of anything.

[DipityDane]

I dunno what the white stripes are but HOLY COW that baby has a long pointy face....the baby voles...and really adults I've seen seem to have a much rounder teddy bear face than that little guy, are we SUUUURE they can't be moles? Baby moles have the exact same color pattern as voles...but longer faces....please oh please be moles...I like moles :Love_Icon or maybe woodrats? I had a "catfood" woody awhile back, very intelligent, interesting creatures.

[jo_schmoe]

I dunno what the white stripes are but HOLY COW that baby has a long pointy face....the baby voles...and really adults I've seen seem to have a much rounder teddy bear face than that little guy, are we SUUUURE they can't be moles? Baby moles have the exact same color pattern as voles...but longer faces....please oh please be moles...I like moles :Love_Icon or maybe woodrats? I had a "catfood" woody awhile back, very intelligent, interesting creatures.
LOL..I guess they could be moles....all I know is that the 2 are still alive!!!:wahoo
They have had to of the soy feedings and seem to be ok.
Don't moles have those feeler looking things on the ends of their noses??:dono
Im going to look up woodrats. Thank you Dipity!!

[jo_schmoe]

Did some more searching for pics of the closest thing to what they look like.
Check this out. Im starting to think they are moles.

[Tickle's Mom]

Whatever they are - they are C U T E !!! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[DipityDane]

I hope they are moles! Not dissn voles or anything, but moles are soooo interesting....and woodrats as well....woodrats are essentially packrats...our cat brought us 2 last summer...the first was a goner, but the second was relatively ok. We cared for him for a couple months before his release...he even became handleable and friendly during that time, so much so, that he had to spend a fair amount of time, "Wilding up" before his release. They are slightly smaller than a fox squirrel but larger that your usual norway rat and they have a slightly furred tail as opposed to the nekkid tail of a rat. Not sure where you are at but the species within the US are Easter, Western, and Allegheny.....as for the moles, I think the most common anywhere is the Eastern or "common" mole....the Starnosed mole you mention in a previous post is native to area's in the northeast and canada. I DO hope the last two babies make it, I SOOO want this mystery to be solved!:D

[Rainy9]

I'm glad they made it through the night and held out long enough for the soy milk. I hope it works! You've done great so far considering the lack of info. I searched and searched last night but could only find what you had already found. I also think they are probably baby moles.

[jo_schmoe]

Sadly I am losing the last one as I speak. He's in my hand...staying warm an dtaking his last few breaths. Poor little beans...I am so sorry....:sad

[Kristal]

Ooohh :( I am so sorry :grouphug Thank you for trying with these little guys :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[DipityDane]

So sorry Joe...small rodent pinkies are near impossible to raise...I am praying that the last little bean rallys in honor of his little beanie brothers and sisters. You have tried your very best and it's all that you can do. Praying so hard that he makes it so that the mystery can be solved!!!

[stosh2010]

In the HANDS of LOVE.....

[jo_schmoe]

The last liitle bean is gone.
Thank you to all that helped me try to save them....there was really nothing more I could do.
Better that they died warm and fed than cold and alone.
RIP little ones....your mama is waiting for you on the other side.:Love_Icon

[DipityDane]

The last liitle bean is gone.
Thank you to all that helped me try to save them....there was really nothing more I could do.
Better that they died warm and fed than cold and alone.
RIP little ones....your mama is waiting for you on the other side.:Love_Icon

:'(

[Hannah]

I'm sorry they didn't make it, jo_schmoe. But it's good of you for trying, even not knowing what they were, or what exactly to do.

[pappy1264]

Awwww, I am sorry. You gave them a chance, something they would not have had without you. Sometimes we just can't save them. RIP sweet babies.....you are a family again and home.

[andrialilmama]

:sorry Thank you soo much for trying to help these babies.

[asweetdiversion]

The last liitle bean is gone.
Thank you to all that helped me try to save them....there was really nothing more I could do.
Better that they died warm and fed than cold and alone.
RIP little ones....your mama is waiting for you on the other side.:Love_Icon

You are a saint Jo so sorry to hear about the last one not making it, God loves you and so do I, all smiles kiddo you did your best.