Releasing rehabilitated squirrels

[cashews]

In july someone brought into a reptile store 2 baby squirrels that had fallen out of their nest to feed them to snakes.
I immediately offered to care for them. I contacted my vet and she advised me to hand them over to Wildlife control. From my knowledge and personal experience when it comes to orphans ( espcially as young as these were, no more than 2 weeks) they would most likely be put down.
So I kept them and hydrated them with pedialyte and fed them warm esbalic puppy formula for 3 months, I watched them develop from little pinkies with their eyes closed to the adolescents they are now.

Their names are Linus and Lucy and they're brother and sister. Lucy is a (grey?) squirrel and has a very bushy tail.
Linus is a black squirrel and his fur is taking a bit longer to come in fully (which is the only developmental issue I can see with either of them) They're incredibly active and a nice healthy weight.

But they've finally begun to refuse their formula and I understand it is time to let them go soon? at around 12 weeks?
I live in Canada and it is November and we're just going into a 6 month winter. What I had planned to do was make a nest and put it in the highest part of a tree, and then attach a dish for water and food and refill it everyday.

I worry about them freezing, and not being able to handle being on their own. and am looking for anyone with knowledge or experience with this issue.

http://i41.tinypic.com/51pwf9.jpg
(Linus's fur has thickened significantlyr since this was taken a week ago)

[astra]

Welcome!:Welcome
Thank you so much for taking care of them and not bringing them to the centre.

But they look kind of small to be released this Fall, especially, here in Canada. I do not know where you are, but in Montreal half the trees lost their leaves already, there are no green leaves left, and it's already rather cold.

Squirrel babies are released in the Fall if there are still green leaves on the trees, which is not the case here.
Moreover, they will need to be soft-released, ie.., they will need to spend a few weeks gradually wilding up and getting used to the outside, but in a few weeks there will be a full-blown Canadian winter here - not good.
They won't know how to build a nest, they won't have food stores for the winter.
If they get chased away by more dominant squirrels, you will not be able to support them with food and they will definitely die.
And they look kind of small to me, size-wise.
It will be best if you could overwinter them and release them in the spring.
People here will be happy to share their experience to help you overwinter them.

The thin fur is another thing that might indicate a compromised immune system, i.e, not ready for a tough Fall release with severe Canadian winter ahead.

Could you, please, describe what their daily menu is like?... because very often thin patchy fur is an indication of nutritional deficiencies.
As you, probably, know by now squirrels have very specific nutritional requirements and if those aren't met, they can succumb to MBD.

Please help yourself to the information in our Nutrition Forum - Healthy Diet for Pet Squirrels (including rehabbed captives) and other useful info: http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=191

And please, do not hesitate to ask questions - ask away!:) :grouphug

[astra]

as for the 12wk cut-off age...

Wildlife centres and overloaded rehabbers have to release because they cannot physically and financially overwinter all the hundreds of babies they rehab. So, they pick up a min. age and that is 12wks because that's the age when babies emerge out of the nest for the 1st time in the wild.

But there is a huge difference that a lot of ppl seem to overlook:
from pinkies age till 12wks babies have been with their squirrel mother, learning squirrelly things from her. Moreover, once they are allowed to roam outside at 12wks, they still keep learning things from her and stay close to her for another couple of months if not more.
Furthermore, Fall babies often spend winter all together with their mother.

Rehabbed babies do not have those advantages. 12wks for rehab babies is not the same as 12wks for the wild babies.

If there is a way to overwinter them, it's better to overwinter.
I remember one of the tSB rehabbers here referring to statistics that the survival rate of released Fall babies is about 80% or so.

Add to this Canadian winter and the shortage of acorns this year, the prospect is rather grim.

Do you have more photos?... they look so sweet and everyone loves photos here.:D

EDIT: just re-read that you raised them from pinkies!!! That's always hard, especially, for those who are new to this!
:thumbsup :grouphug

[Anne]

:goodpost

[cashews]

Thanks for your replies!
I am in no hurry to release these little guys (I imagine it'll one of the harder things i've had to do)
I just assumed that the longer I kept them in captivity the harder it would be for them to assimilate to being in the wild. But if you think it's best I don't mind taking care of them until spring.

In terms of diet I was feeding them Esbalic puppy formula for the first 3 months or so. By the last few weeks I started adding a little cream and yogurt to fatten them up a bit (they were a tad underweight) once I noticed them getting steadily bigger on solid food I stopped feeding them milks (it was such a messy task, and I worried the syringe would cause dental problems) and they've seemed fine without it. When their eyes opened I introduced dried fruit (apricots, mangoes, raisins, cranberries) organic peanut butter, almonds and put them on a rodent diet called "Mazouri" which is specially formulated. They also have a bottle of water in their case. The Mazouri is their staple, the other foods are only given in small quantities once a week or so.

When they were younger I was so afraid I was raising them improperly and just prolonging death. I had a vetrenarian (unoffically) tell me I was simply abusing them and should have them put down.
Even though I was closely following online guides and they were developing right on schedule I had heard so many horror stories about MBD and other illnesses that I was constantly you tubing and searching squirrels and comparing them to mine and they seem perfectly healthy aside from the thin fur on Linus.

Here are baby pictures of Linus and Lil Lulu

http://i39.tinypic.com/2lcbiax.jpg
Lil Lulu at about 2 weeks

http://i40.tinypic.com/653mlt.jpg
Linus also at around 3 weeks

*NOTE: I do know that squirrels can't be conditioned to other pets as dogs and cats can be a threat in the wild. The first pic was one of their only brief encounters, and trust me the squirrels are no fan of my dog lol

[island rehabber]

Although I am often the lone cryer in the wilderness advising everyone to RELEASE around here, and not overwinter, in this case I am also suggesting they be overwintered. too many strikes against them: Canadian winter, thin fur, late-season babies who are only 12 wks now. Definitely keepers until spring. :thumbsup

[gs1]

cashew i'm near toronto ...can you pm me where you are?

:D

i'd like to see if i can get you some help in case you need it.....:thumbsup

ps: even though i wouldn't normally advise .... but i'd like to see them eat boo balls made with fox valley and hhbs.... just for a little while...esbilac isn't the best thing to be feeding baby squirrels anymore ...the ingredients/manufacturing process was changed about 2 years ago and it's no longer very digestable for squirrels..... esbilac themselves don't recommend people feed it to squirrels ....

i'm so glad you're keeping...i'd like to see lots more nutrition before they go out in the big world....

and their bones have to be super strong... one small fall and they could break a leg and end up non releasable.....:grouphug

[cashews]

cashew i'm near toronto ...can you pm me where you are?


I live in Scarborough, which is the east end of Toronto. (not sure how to PM lol)

[stepnstone]

Do not allow yourself to even think for a minute you have done any injustice with these babies, you saved their lives and continue to do so. I could only wish there were more people like you that gives a value to the lives of our wildlife! :grouphug
You've found a good source of compassionate people here on TSB as well as an excellent source of information to help you ensure the survival of these two little ones. TSB knows squirrels! Read through our forums, ask any questions you may have. You will always find someone here willing to help you with a positive attitude!
:thankyou and :Welcome to TSB!

[cashews]

Hey when do these squirrels reach sexual maturity? They're boy and girl and I really don't need any incest babies
Also where can I get a more appropriate diet for them?

[astra]

Hey when do these squirrels reach sexual maturity? They're boy and girl and I really don't need any incest babies
Also where can I get a more appropriate diet for them?
greys (and these are greys-melanistic) do not breed in captivity first of,
then, form what I learned about them, they do not breed with relatives.
Of course, there are flukes and exceptions to everything, but... have not heard of them.
Jackie in Tampa has lots of squirrels of both genders, but none of them have ever bred.

EDIT: just saw that you live in Scarborough! We have a member who lives in Mississauga and who has much experience with squirrels, so she can help you (by the way, she, too, has had squirrels of both genders and never any breeding problems, and hers weren't even related).
We also have a licensed wildlife rehabber in Guelph, so if you decide you cannot overwinter them, she could take them, most likely, but being too busy with her rehab, she cannot drive so they have to be brought to her.

THere is a lot of info here that will help them to be overwintered well.
Most important - nutrition!
Help yourself to Squirrel Nutrition forum - tons of info.
The most important that they eat quality rodent blocks daily + good green veggies + safe wild foods + occasional treats: a piece of fruit and a nut or two, no more.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions - ask away!;-)

[patjones]

I agree with over wintering them and take it from me a fairly new guy on the block. I cried like a baby the first time I opened pixels release cage and for the next months I spent hours a day outside calling his name into the trees. He came back often for a while but that dropped off. I still go out and call him and think I see him now and then but it still hurts to not have him tearing my arms to shreds and running around on top of the kitchen cabinets. I thought I was tough and hard 50 years of hard living. A squirrel brought me down to size.

[Pierre]

I agree with over wintering them and take it from me a fairly new guy on the block. I cried like a baby the first time I opened pixels release cage and for the next months I spent hours a day outside calling his name into the trees. He came back often for a while but that dropped off. I still go out and call him and think I see him now and then but it still hurts to not have him tearing my arms to shreds and running around on top of the kitchen cabinets. I thought I was tough and hard 50 years of hard living. A squirrel brought me down to size.

:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[cashews]

I've released a squirrel before, his name was Conker.
When he was given to me he was already eating solid foods (My boyfriend manages the local pet store so when there's an animal that needs a home, people always seem to refer them to us)
He wasn't like these squirrels I have now at all, probably because it was just me and him.
He would follow me everywhere I went, jumping on my shoulders, we would wrestle and then he'd get tired and fall asleep in my lap.
I actually get a little misty just thinking about him :')
I too would be standing outside like a crazy person brandishing a bowl of nuts calling "Conker!" to every black squirrel that ran by,
He did visit us once after we released him and I kind of took that as a
"Hey! I'm alive and making it in the wild, don't worry about me!" and I've never seen him again.
http://i39.tinypic.com/e0g1za.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2pyrnyo.jpg
(him visiting after he was set free)

I believe I have one of the highest quality rodent blocks you can buy as far as I know (Mazuri formula, I heard it's used in zoo's)
The only thing their diet is lacking is the wild ruffage, where would I go about finding something like that? Besides picking up Acorns off the ground lol

And I was considering passing these squirrels on to a rehabber. I'm doing an adequate job but I can see where my inexperience is having a toll on these squirrels, they're developing but not at a steady/consistent rate.
If I can find a ride out to Guelph perhaps I'll hand them over closer to release day.

[cashews]

Oh and I was concerned with the reproduction because my male is starting to develop more so in that way. I was going to separate them but it's so adorable the way they cuddle I didn't have the heart to split them up, so I came to you guys.

I do thank you all for sharing with me your knowledge and experience with raising these squirrels. Squirrels have always been my favorite animal as I'm an avid rodent lover and being able to raise these squirrels that otherwise wouldn't have made it in the wild is just something that I've really found fulfilling. So thanks again for helping me with this (:

:thankyou :grouphug

[astra]

oh, completely agree - squirrels are amazing and magical, like no other animal, really.:)
SUre, the Guelph rehabber's TSB name is runestonez - you can send her a private message and discuss things, and ask questions.
SHe is very busy, but she does respond. And yes, the squirrels would have to be delivered to her as she is extremely busy with her rehab activities.
Mazuri is a good block!A lot of ppl use it, too.
Concer is adorable!!!:grouphug

[Skul]

I'm going to agree with GS1 about switching formula.
I think if you try Fox Valley, you'll notice a big change within a week or two.
Having the fur problem, however slight, will be very detrimental to them if released.
If you can, please get a current weight for them.

Conker is a cute little devil.
Being a male, he was no doubt shooed away from your location by bigger males.
Having a raised/released squirrel stay nearby can happen.
It's just not very common.

[vickyjhnsn]

You are a really good person for what you are doing and don't listen to any vet about injustice. I CANNOT see how killing a perfectly healthy squirrel is an injustice.

I strongly agree with Skul and you really need to try the Fox Valley. I have had such huge healthy squirrels from that formula and I was just telling my husband today how the Fox Valley produces some healthy squirrels. My babies are big and chunky and healthy. They are so strong too. I have given them formula up to 12 weeks before I start to wean them and I had a released squirrel, Chip, come back for some rest and he was not feeling good that I gave some FV in a bowl just to make sure he had the nutrition he needed before I released him again. I think they really like the taste too, they gobble it up every time.

Please consider it. I bet within a few days you see a change in their fur and their overall appearance. Its cheaper then what your using too by a few bucks. Also, I just purchased the Mazuri blocks because I ran out of the Henry's blocks and my babies ate them but were not entirely thrilled. I just got the order in and they just gobbled those Henry's blocks down. They are very healthy for these guys and the squirrels really like them. You can check them out at: http://www.henryspets.com/squirrel-blocks-growth-formula/

Oh, and definitely overwinter. No question. In the spring they will be strong enough to take the world on. You will have to give them more time to adjust and do a slow, slow release but they will wild up just fine from what I've read.

Can you overwinter them outside? I would get a heat source for them being your in Canada but that is just me. Only the best for my babies. Maybe you can rig up a heating pad under a nest box in their release cage that they cannot get to chew and the wires are protected from rain and snow like with a pvc pipe. The release would go better if they were outside during the winter. Have you seen the release cages on this board. Great cages and so many ideas.

Good luck to you and you seem to really care about them. That makes for a good mommy.

[cashews]

I haven't been feeding them formula for over a month now, and I don't think i have the heart to rehab anymore squirrels but if I do I certainly won't use esbalic anymore

and sad to report that lil lulu had to be put down last night :( most likely a result of MBD ( possibly from the esbalic, although the other squirrel is doing amazing)
Her teeth began growing in funny a while ago, until the bottoms started jutting into the top. She couldnt open her mouth to eat and her teeth kept getting caught with each others, she was cold, skinny and simply suffering so we did what we needed to. I'm still bawling my eyes out.


Now I know squirrels need to be raised in pairs but my squirrel thats left is almost full sized, nothing like whats pictured above, closer to conkers size when I first got him ( I'll update his pictures and give you a weight later on today) is it going to be an issue now that his sisters gone? also do you think he feels the loss?