Red ring on baby sq necks

[SammysMom]

A friend just called me to ask if I knew what could cause baby squirrels to look like they have a red ribbon or elastic around their necks. They live in her garage and are offspring of one that they rescued and released last year. This is so strange! I am waiting for a picture...oh, here it is!

[SammysMom]

It is a litter of 3 and 2 of them have it. They seem otherwise healthy.

[SammysMom]

Friend says they are not acting like it is sore or tender at all.

[CritterMom]

They look like collars! Could these little idiots have slipped their heads into something - like one of those wristbands they use for charities or something like that? Are these babies accessible? Whatever it is should come off before they hang themselves...

[SammysMom]

They are trying to figure out how to actually get them without hurting them or getting mauled. They are not at all friendly.

[mugzeezma]

They look like collars! Could these little idiots have slipped their heads into something - like one of those wristbands they use for charities or something like that? Are these babies accessible? Whatever it is should come off before they hang themselves...
they look like collars to me

I have heard of tagging before releasing but this is a dangerous practice unless that collar is breakable.

Part of a study?
can you catch one?

[SammysMom]

I thought maybe one of those rings from a gallon of milk. Strange that it is 2 of them!

[SammysMom]

They have been in her garage since birth. Rural setting on a farm. They will try to catch them.

[mugzeezma]

I thought maybe one of those rings from a gallon of milk. Strange that it is 2 of them!
That's entirely possible
If they are dumpster diving ....:shakehead
they need to be removed

I've seen this happen with Finnagin in my house!!! he got one of those things around his head...I cut them now before disposing...that and sixpack rings and yogurt cups...smash em

[island rehabber]

Those definitely look like plastic rings of some kind! It's imperative that they be taken off -- however they can be taken off -- or those babies will die a slow death. :(

[SammysMom]

No slow death for these little ones! Friend's husband is a squirrel person too. I may go over with traps. Gee...maybe I will find one in my neighbor's yard TONIGHT! (So far, I think the ammonia is keeping them away from that trap).
They look very much like milk bottle rings to me.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

I think the ring from a gallon of milk would be too small, probably more like a ring from an applesauce container or something of that size, but definitely looks like a plastic ring. Glad the people are willing to let you help the squirrels :thumbsup. good luck and I hope you are able to help the little tykes.

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

It almost looks like there is a little black clasp on the ring though, like it's a collar :dono. Very strange.

[SammysMom]

They are this spring's babies too so pretty small still. I will let you know what the heck it is. Going to bring some small traps that I used for kittens.
Maybe they just got themselves a little "bling"! lol

[mugzeezma]

They are this spring's babies too so pretty small still. I will let you know what the heck it is. Going to bring some small traps that I used for kittens.
Maybe they just got themselves a little "bling"! lol

looks like it!!!
I swear if a squirrel can find trouble it will!

[SammysMom]

Mugz I read your post and looked up and there's Sammy with my blackberry...lol They indeed do love trouble!:osnap

[mugzeezma]

Mugz I read your post and looked up and there's Sammy with my blackberry...lol They indeed do love trouble!:osnap

HAHAHAHAA who's on speed dial????
they just got call from a nutkin

[CritterMom]

Rubber bands??

[mugzeezma]

Rubber bands??
If that, they would be okay, don't you think? Lesser of the evils...Plenty of give...no way to tell until she catches them

[squirrelfriend]

It could possibly be one of those rings you see on bottles or jugs after you take the lid off. If so it needs to come off. If they are just youngsters they will still be growing and that thing can eventually be too tight. Even if it is a collar I would take it off. It could easilly get caught on something and then he will be stuck. Use a Have-A-Heart trap to catch them.

[scoobysnack]

I can see one accidentally getting itself ringed but two out of three? Weird. Looks like collars to me too.

[Jackie in Tampa]

traps...
trap those kids and get whatever it is off asap...
if it's not SOMETHING...and it's a boo boo, lock them out of that garage...
bait the trap with corn on the cob...
good luck and thank you:Love_Icon

[SquirrelNut]

what would be the odds of two of them having plastic rings???

i think it is some type of collar.

[mugzeezma]

what would be the odds of two of them having plastic rings???

i think it is some type of collar.

hard to say what they are .... youngsters are pretty tight when it comes to adventure, If they both went dumpster diving then it;s entirely possible they both got 'ringed'
Either way it needs to be removed

[momma2boo]

Any word on whether they were able to trap these babies and remove whatever that is around their sweet little necks? I am worried sick over them.

[Best Life]

Anxiously awaiting an update. I, too, always snip any kind of plastic that a critter or bird might get stuck in. Most especially from six packs of soda as that one is such a common hazard.

Will be so happy to see the little ones freed of whatever it is. I'm so grateful that the people noticed!! Hopefully the rings have not become embedded at all. The baby looks perky at this point, so that's good!

[Jackie in Tampa]

Anxiously awaiting an update. I, too, always snip any kind of plastic that a critter or bird might get stuck in. Most especially from six packs of soda as that one is such a common hazard.

Will be so happy to see the little ones freed of whatever it is. I'm so grateful that the people noticed!! Hopefully the rings have not become embedded at all. The baby looks perky at this point, so that's good!me tooo...

[SammysMom]

Traps set an waiting not so patiently!:thumbsup

[Tara]

me tooo...

and me... :tilt I hope they're okay! :grouphug

[mugzeezma]

Traps set an waiting not so patiently!:thumbsup

What do you have in them and what type of trap? I found that I had to put a stick under the drop lever of my Hav a Heart to make it more sensitive.

Does yours have the flip handle?

[SammysMom]

They will really be okay. They are acting fine and still have mom around. The red bands do not look to tight yet but we do know they MUST be removed. I am not there as I have to work (petsitting) so my friend is taking care of it. I will keep you posted as she keeps me posted though. Thank-you for all of the concern!!! This is a weird one!:thankyou
Traps are kitten traps so they definitely are very sensitive.

[rusty's mom]

an other member found it is not so easy to catch a chippy in a garage. Hoping you have better luck since you are more on a time crunch. Really would like to know what those things are. will keep this in Prayer.Please keep us updated.

[SammysMom]

This is making me just as crazy to know what is happening. Have to wait and hear from the person who has them in the garage. They are very caring people and her husband loves his fluffers so I'm sure they will catch them and let me know very soonn what the heck the things are. They darned well better not be like that Flower the chippie! I don't think the will be okay having three squirrels in their garage FOREVER...lol

[Jackie in Tampa]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_6_218v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_) any news??
I am anxious and worried...







http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp?pc=ZSzeb096&pp= (http://www.smileycentral.com/dl/index.jhtml?partner=ZSzeb096_&utm_id=7924)

[SammysMom]

Don't worry! The rings, whatever they are are not tight. They just are too nervous to go to the traps. If need be, he will go up after dark to grab them but he really doesn't want to traumatize them more than needed. From what I know they are in good hands though.
Thanks for thinking of them! I am just so darned curious!

[rusty's mom]

Do you think mom squirrel will try and bite these things off.

[UDoWhat]

Just waiting nervously for news. Poor babies. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

I'm a bit anxious now myself. I'm afraid it is out of my hands though. I texted her a little while ago and hope to hear soon.

[SammysMom]

Well though babies are yet to be "in custody", it has been established that what is around their necks are rubber bands. They are acting fine and obviously need them removed, but the fact that they are not rigid plastic is a bit of a relief.

[Tara]

Poor things...Glad to hear they're okay and that it's not the thick plastic as suspected. :) Now to figure out how to catch them! :thumbsup

[SquirrelNut]

More than likely put on by human hands????

[rusty's mom]

What ever happened to these babies they are still on our minds.

[Best Life]

I've been thinking about it, too... Any updates?

[SammysMom]

These little ones are doing fine and are avoiding being trapped like mad! Their human family is trying hard to catch them and they seem to be suffering no ill effects from the bands. They got into a bag of rubber bands in the garage so that mystery is solved. However, on a very sad note, their mother was killed by a neighborhood cat and deposited on the doorstep of my friend's house. Fortunately they seem capable of fending for themselves as well as making one heck of a mess playing in the garage. Prayers for mom as she was one of 2 that my friends raised last year. Thank you for all the kind concern! I will keep you up on any progress that is made.

[SquirrelsinSingapore]

However, on a very sad note, their mother was killed by a neighborhood cat and deposited on the doorstep of my friend's house. Fortunately they seem capable of fending for themselves as well as making one heck of a mess playing in the garage. Prayers for mom as she was one of 2 that my friends raised last year.

How do an adult female get caught or killed by a cat? Shouldn't adult sqs be able to fend off a cat?

Mama Sqs are known to guard their babies...
i figured mama could be protecting his babies or her nesting area, and probably fought to her death...
If so, she's such a noble mama.... :crybaby

It makes me sad thinking of it that way, please take care of her babies, and take the cat away...

RIP squirrelmom

[SammysMom]

The trouble with the cat is that it is a neighbor's free-roaming cat. You don't want to put the squirrels in jeopardy at a neighbors hands in retaliation for removing their cat. All in all it stinks!

[JLM27]

Wait a few months and then "disappear it"

[Jackie in Tampa]

Wait a few months and then "disappear it"
:thumbsup agree, disappear it.

I really would love to hear the rubber bands are gone...please keep this task center stage.:Love_Icon

rip momma squirrel:Love_Icon

[SammysMom]

Traps are still set. Bait changed often. The task is still front and center!

[rusty's mom]

Did someone get the rings off those babes yet I have been watching for an update and still have them on my mind. They must be getting big and those things are getting tighter. If a rubber band is around your wrist to long I know that starts to hurt. Please update. Yes I'm a worrier.