Worried about my escapee...

[jenforeman7]

Last night Squirt got out of his cage--I'm guessing I didn't fully latch the door after I put in some walnuts and greens for the night. The door was wide open this morning and there was a trail of fuzz...no Squirt. He was apparently back and forth several times between his nest box and his new nest because of all the fuzz everywhere! No sign of him at all today, and I'm not sure what I should do, if anything. He's just 16 weeks old.
Right now I'm leaving the cage door opened (the cage is still on our large deck...we hadn't made it to the yard yet.) I put fresh food and water in today. Do I leave the cage where it is or move it to the back of the yard (we have acres of forest behind us)? Do I just move his nest box out or assume he's already made do without it? How long do I continue to do food and water if there's no sign of him? Finally, have any of you had one so young go free and see him again? It was definitely a lot of work to care for him...just would love to see him again and make sure he'll be ok. I could tell he was so ready to go, but felt he was still far too little. :(

[UDoWhat]

Last night Squirt got out of his cage--I'm guessing I didn't fully latch the door after I put in some walnuts and greens for the night. The door was wide open this morning and there was a trail of fuzz...no Squirt. He was apparently back and forth several times between his nest box and his new nest because of all the fuzz everywhere! No sign of him at all today, and I'm not sure what I should do, if anything. He's just 16 weeks old.
Right now I'm leaving the cage door opened (the cage is still on our large deck...we hadn't made it to the yard yet.) I put fresh food and water in today. Do I leave the cage where it is or move it to the back of the yard (we have acres of forest behind us)? Do I just move his nest box out or assume he's already made do without it? How long do I continue to do food and water if there's no sign of him? Finally, have any of you had one so young go free and see him again? It was definitely a lot of work to care for him...just would love to see him again and make sure he'll be ok. I could tell he was so ready to go, but felt he was still far too little. :(
:wave123 Hi I am also in MD. You are most likely not far from me. (45 minutes) Please leave the cage on the deck. Leave the nest box as it is, if he has not been out ever before. He will probably return to the netbox/cage tonight. I am also on wooded acres. Please take the food and water out of the cage tonight as it will only draw predators at night that will or could kill your little one just for the food in the cage. Was the door a big door that a raccoon, fox, or other predator can also get in? Many rehabilitators will release squirrels at 16-18 weeks. I don't usually release until about 18+ weeks. I would put the food out near or in his cage during the day if you are home and can watch that no other squirrels or animals are going in the cage. If you can not watch during the day, then put the food and water close to the cage in a shady area. Most squirrels that age will come back to their nest box for sometimes weeks after release. I hope you will see him soon. I would take a flashlight out tonight and check to see if he has returned after dark. Please remove the food from his box tonight. It would be unusual for him not to come back. Keep watching for him. The raccoons are terrible about trying to get the food out of nest boxes. I install small 3in x 3in doors on my outdoor cages to keep the larger predators out. Keep us updated . Praying for his return. :Love_Icon

[JLM27]

One problem that singletons have is being accepted into the local clan. If he found a friend and is being accepted, then that is the best that can happen to him. If not, he may come running back to Mom, because the pack can also be hostile to newcomers. Let's hope he found a buddy and is off learning to be a forest boy.

[JLM27]

:wave123 Hi I am also in MD. You are most likely not far from me. (45 minutes) Please leave the cage on the deck. Leave the nest box as it is, if he has not been out ever before. He will probably return to the netbox/cage tonight. I am also on wooded acres. Please take the food and water out of the cage tonight as it will only draw predators at night that will or could kill your little one just for the food in the cage. Was the door a big door that a raccoon, fox, or other predator can also get in? Many rehabilitators will release squirrels at 16-18 weeks. I don't usually release until about 18+ weeks. I would put the food out near or in his cage during the day if you are home and can watch that no other squirrels or animals are going in the cage. If you can not watch during the day, then put the food and water close to the cage in a shady area. Most squirrels that age will come back to their nest box for sometimes weeks after release. I hope you will see him soon. I would take a flashlight out tonight and check to see if he has returned after dark. Please remove the food from his box tonight. It would be unusual for him not to come back. Keep watching for him. The raccoons are terrible about trying to get the food out of nest boxes. I install small 3in x 3in doors on my outdoor cages to keep the larger predators out. Keep us updated . Praying for his return. :Love_Icon
Good posting. No food at night!

[pappy1264]

I released Pinkie and Fonzi at 16 weeks...that was on Aug. 14, 2010.....Although Fonzi only stayed for a while....Pinkie is still here, caring for her second set of babies, to boot! She still stops when I call her name and waits for me to bring her her treats! So don't give up hope (but if he doesn't come back, know you gave him a great start and he was ready to be a squirrel. But I think you will see him again!)

[jenforeman7]

Thanks for the advice! I can't believe I forgot I need to take the food out at night...will definitely do that. No sign of him this morning, but I'll keep up the food and water during the day for a while and see what happens. I did have a baby chipmunk in there this morning... I've been here for 10 years and have only seen a raccoon one time, although I'm certain they must be in the woods. We have several foxes. So...the door to the cage that Squirt escaped from is huge. Should I close that one and leave the one on top open? He'd never been through that one.

[UDoWhat]

Thanks for the advice! I can't believe I forgot I need to take the food out at night...will definitely do that. No sign of him this morning, but I'll keep up the food and water during the day for a while and see what happens. I did have a baby chipmunk in there this morning... I've been here for 10 years and have only seen a raccoon one time, although I'm certain they must be in the woods. We have several foxes. So...the door to the cage that Squirt escaped from is huge. Should I close that one and leave the one on top open? He'd never been through that one.

I would only because you don't want him to go in the cage and the nest box and think he is safe. And then get trapped by a predator with no way out but through the door the predator is in front of. I don't think the fox would come so close to the house, on the deck. I think he will returm home today or tonight. Can you walk in the woods and call him? If Squirt is hurt he may come to you if he hears you. I still think he will come home. Praying he will be home soon. :Love_Icon :Love_Icon Yes open the top door.

[jenforeman7]

I've been calling for him a lot but still no sign. Hoping, hoping, hoping he's found a great new home and friends in the woods. So much area, streams, tons of food and hopefully nice squirrel friends... Will keep you posted!

[SquirrelsinSingapore]

I've also heard squirrels will seldom venture out at night.. But as a safety precaution, lets not leave food at night... :)

Try calling to his name... It may work if he hears your familiar voice... Also a peanut trail in day luring into the cage..

We are praying for his return. Hopefully he learn something out of his little field trip...:Love_Icon

[UDoWhat]

I am sure you will see him in a few days. Praying for a sighting to ease your mind.:Love_Icon