Is it true that they ever get too old to return to the trees?

[Kristal]

I was just reading the abusive male thread, and the poster was saying that the rehabbers that she talked to all said that her one year old squirrel was too old to be rehabilitated.

Is it true that they ever get too old? I think it is just now getting to be about the time to do spring releases as most trees are at least half leafy, but they will be a year old in a few months... and I am still holding out for a good person - someone who will not freak out if they land on their shoulder, somewhere with a lot of trees and not a lot of cats and dogs... someone who would feed them for at least the first winter and put up a house for them.

I don't want to just toss them out in my urban neighbourhood or dump them with the SPCA or whomever to do a hard release when all they have known is love and play... Now I am worried that I might be waiting too long:dono

[SammysMom]

Someone more experienced will be along soon, but I certainly don't think it is too late for your guys or for the naughty male either. Maybe someone here would do your release for you. Good luck! :grouphug

[mugzeezma]

Squirrels are MADE to be wild...it's hardwired but they need to relearn it.
Ideally, and I researched this because I wanted to ultimately release Mugzi, You will have to cage them outside and not handle them for the period of time it takes for them to unlearn handling,ie, they run from you rather than come to you.
This is my understanding of how it works.
Simple in concept but not in practice...:D

[momma2boo]

I would think as long as they have not become desensitized to animals who could do them harm such as cats and dogs that they should be able to be returned to the wild.

I am sure someone with far more experience than I have will be along any time.

[mugzeezma]

I would think as long as they have not become desensitized to animals who could do them harm such as cats and dogs that they should be able to be returned to the wild.

I am sure someone with far more experience than I have will be along any time.

I question the desensitization. It seems they can distinguish between good dog bad dog...I would definitely not bet their life on it though.

[Pierre]

I wouldn't bet their life on it either, at all, but I see my wilds distinguishing between my lover-boy lazy labrador, and my neighbor's nasty sheltie. They lopey-dope from my dog, sometimes only moving 10-20 feet away, turning around and watching him. But they don't freak. When my neighbor's dog comes out, they run like bats out of hell up trees and sometimes even sound alarms and shake their tails. :dono Really though, if they can tell us from another human, how could they not distinguish other animals as well?

I have never let Grayson meet my dog. He's always in another room when Grayson is out. Grayson has seen him though, and certainly has heard him bark. I worried that he wouldn't be scared of him, but the times when Grayson has opened a door or knocked down a pet door and my dog wanders in, Grayson runs to the highest point and sounds an alarm! :D

I am hoping for you find a good helper and location where you can release your babies, Kristal. :grouphug

[island rehabber]

If the squirrel is showing signs that they WANT the wild life, I don't think it's ever too late. These are not domesticated animals whose wiring has been crossed by inbreeding and selective breeding (like dogs, etc.) They have all the equipment they need to live wild. Better a day in the trees than a lifetime in a cage. JMHO

[Scooterzmom]

Where I had thought that I could be the one to release Kristal's babies, I'm still hunting for a new house, still in search of a safe place to release my own. :( Even if I was to find a house today, by the time the move could be arranged - with hubby still in rehab for his hip - I don't see how I could be set up for a release before the fall... I feel so helpless.

The only place that I would take them to would be La Pension du Jardin Secret... which is an hour's drive from Montreal. I trust that la Pension will do a good job - they always did so in the past - but I know that once again my heart will get broken when I have to drop them off there knowing that I will never see them again, :Cry and I will always worry that they are doing fine while not able to see that for myself.

[Anne]

It has not been my experience that a squirrel ever gets too old for release. I have some here that started with a failure to launch, but in time were out in the trees appearing to be very happy. They still come visit for the peanuts.:rotfl And I do think some females come by to just show off the kiddies. The ones that don't want release simply come back in after several weeks outside and hang on the cage door until you let them back in!tinfoil :jump If they do that, I just give up and let them stay, they always have a chance to leave, but seem to be day visitors outside. Out during the day and back at night until they'd had enough and decide to stay in again! I have two 5 year olds that come and go at will!

[virgo062]

My opinion: They will let you know when it's time....It may never be time. I would leave the decision uo to the rehabber and the squirrel.....No one knows your squirrel better than you

[Ellymae]

Anne,

What a great story. I too have had some squirrels that just didn't want to go. My release cages are always left on the porch with nesting boxes in them. Sometimes, the wild squirrels will come up and use them when there has been a storm.

We do have a problem with raccoons and white oak snakes (gray rat snakes), that have a tendency to try to get into the cages though. The raccoons can't get in because the release opening is only 2" x 2" square, just large enough for the squirrels to come and go.

[Kelly Brady]

Hey there Kristal,

I agree with Anne 100%.

I had a male named Peanut that was released two times and mishaps brought him back to me with injuries. After a year he was finally successfully released and comes back occasionally to let us know he is doing well. That was last fall.

Then there is Paco who took a year to prepare for release as well. I thought she may be a non release due to issues with coordination. Long story. After a year she too has gone free and has been a resident in my back yard for well over a year now.

Virgo is correct as well though, both fuzzers told me that is what they wanted. IE: They showed me the signs that the tree's were where they wanted to be by pacing and some aggressive behavior etc.

Once they get out there, even if domesticated to a degree, the wild kicks in and off they go. Both cases I had food and shelter (nest boxes) etc to help them along. But like mugz said, the inner squirrel kicks in, as it never really leaves them.

[Kristal]

I think Babe is showing signs of wanting to be wild. Lately he is trying to chew a hole in the door so that he can come and go as he wants. I keep plastering it up. He's also gotten more wary of me, but he is never aggressive. He chews on anything wooden in their room more than the others.

The other three? I don't know... we get along very well. I am sure that they would like more outside time, but they make such a big mess, especially of my plants, that I don't like to take them out as much anymore. They all do show at least some fear of my dogs, even Rifa. But the dogs are trained enough by now that the squirrels could almost walk right over them and they would not do anything.

I have thought of making some kind of cage enclosure on the back porch that could be accessed at will by opening the window.

I could put some plywood on the inside of the window and put a hole into it that would open out into a short passage into a cage on the porch. They could get used to the outside sounds and smells, and hopefully come to be afraid of the cats.

The trouble with that idea is that I don't have any money for wood and wire mesh or even a vehicle to transport it in :(

I hate the idea of releasing them where someone won't help them transition or care for them if they are hurt. And I am reticent to release them here because it is pretty urban with cars and cats and dogs. I am not even sure which would be the better choice. Perhaps if I were to habituate them to the area around here by slowly moving them out, they would learn to look out for and avoid the dangers in the area. It is a serious decision since I don't think you get to change your mind and take it back later.

I can't keep them forever, that is for sure. Of course I love them and wish I could, though. I don't know what to do about it all :(