Behaving Strange like he is Frightened?

[KathleenNYC]

Question, Wort was in his cage behaving normal most of the day. Then this afternoon he became very still, when I took him out he remained still and seemed as if he was shivering (brief vibrating motions coming from his body). Then he suddenly began sprinting back and forth jumping around as though he was terrified of something. Trying to even climb up the walls.

I managed to get him back into his cage where he almost immediately hid in his hut, rolling around in circles and laying on his side. He doesn't appear to be sick in any way - but something is clearly wrong. He drank his water, ate a Henry block and a piece of strawberry so it is not hunger or dehydration.
When i come to his cage and open the door he does not try to come out as he usually does. But he will let me pet him. I am afraid to take him out again to hold him, because I am afraid he is going to hurt himself, after the last frantic episode.

Does anybody recognize this behavior? is there something specific he could be afraid of? Is this a more common reaction to a nearby cat or more like a reaction to the weather? Is this common in the development of a young squirrel?

[pappy1264]

He probably heard something from outside. I have seen similar things (frantic, terrified). I am sure he is fine, but just keep an eye on him. Squirrels have very good hearing and can hear things we cannot.

[djarenspace9]

Normal, and an important survival skill for squirrels.
Unless he is a pet and it's something you don't want him to be scared of,
don't reassure or comfort him and let him go along with his instincts.
It will save his life, and that of another, if he remains scared of anything indeed dangerous.

[KathleenNYC]

Cant figure out what the sound is...
we are overwintering, but he is blind in one eye and makes mistakes on his bad side while he is frantic... I have put his cage in a room with classical music and a fan to drown the outside sounds. I am really afraid he is going to hurt himself.
He is still in his hut seems like he is hiding...

[sdreamcatcher]

What about smells? Could he smell a dog or cat (even from outside)? Joey does this every so often; Butchie sometimes. They can see, hear and smell so much better then we do, and if your little guy is visually impaired he could be more reactive.

Do you have rescue remedy, by chance? Great for having on hand....

[SammysMom]

Sammy does this when I cook fish...lol I always reassure him that he's not on the menu :D

[KathleenNYC]

What is Rescue Remedy?
No cooking yet, but smells from outside are a definite possibility, it is very humid and misty out... this is NYC!

[djarenspace9]

How old is he?
I notice most of my rehabs get super-sensitive at a certain age...
usually 10-14 weeks - they will react to a lot of things and then
they mature and learn to react to the important things!

Rescue Remedy is awesome. Look into it and see if you can get some.
Great to ease nerves for both squirrle and keepers :D

[KathleenNYC]

he seems to have calmed down, he let me pet him in his cage (didnt want to take him out yet), scruffed a little and rolled over to get a rub on his chest. he was full of nibbles and licks... drank lots of water, ate a sugar snap pea (his Favorite) and half a Henry block.
He is napping now... guess it all wore him out!
WOW.. he is about 13/14 weeks. Right on schedule... Makes sense, his behavior is changing... still super loveable but definitely maturing.
I googled rescue remedy, and I am gonna check cvs tonight. Henry's says it is "currently unavailable".

Thanks!!!! everyone, little guy scares me when he is just not right...

[sdreamcatcher]

Glad he is feeling better :). Whole Foods carries it, get the people version not pet, it's the same thing they just up the price on the pet version :shakehead . Any health food store should carry....

[KathleenNYC]

Thanks!!! Whole Foods it is!!!
People version sounds good, because WE are probably gonna need it a few times as WE adjust...

[CritterMom]

For Wort, you can actually get the benefit of it by getting it on his skin ANYWHERE - it will pass through his skin into his bloodstream. Those big, naked rear feet are a good place and so are their ears. If you dampen your thumb and forefinger you can rub it into their ears and they won't even know. If they are really agitated, you might need to use a couple times.

For you, spray 4 or 5 bursts under your tongue. RR is awesome stuff.

[KathleenNYC]

THANKS!!!

[gs1]

:grouphug with their hearing it could be anything... he might even be able to hear the squirrels outside warning each other of hawks.... (very soft growling from them when this is happening) .... or something might have flown by the window? ... i could keep giving you maybes all night....:grouphug but yes this happens a lot ...... and they're totally freaked out .... :grouphug

i am not sure about the rescue remedy for humans vs the one for pets but i thought the one for pets was not alchohol based....i've used the human one on rabbits with no problems... and i used it on the skin .... either inside the ear ...tiny amount don't want it dripping in there or on the outside of the ear and it soaks in around the fur.....

or on a piece of treat etc..... or a few drops in the water dish .... etc... :)

[KathleenNYC]

Thanks, I suspected sounds, and yes we do have hawks living in the neighborhood. My neighbor on the 20th floor has magnificent photos of them landing on her terrace.
I was also wondering, now that we have lost the leaves on the trees the far off highway sounds, or anything from the parks may be different to him, because the living room (juts out from the building and is exposed) seemed to bother him more than the interior bedrooms. I used to enjoy all of the sounds from the park (a little nature in the cold city). Who knew...
We have a fully enclosed terrace, I intend on using to introduce him to the climate, but boy boy I guess that is going to stress him out...
THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!!!