Singleton question

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Those of you who have NR .......if you have had them for months by themselves and another NR comes along, can they ever be put together or does it just depend on the individual personalities of the squirrels involved??

[Rescue04]

Those of you who have NR .......if you have had them for months by themselves and another NR comes along, can they ever be put together or does it just depend on the individual personalities of the squirrels involved??


so far we have not been able to put any of our NR together. and we have four of them. i guess it just depends all on their personalities.

[djarenspace9]

Are you referring to together in one cage or just to interact together during playtime?

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
both
of course play time here is in a different cage, when I let him out in the house, he drags so much he gets soars on himself.
He does better climbing on his play ground or in either cage. If I were to get another NR that was limited like Simon what are the possiblities of getting them to want to be together buddies

[djarenspace9]

I have had 4 NR's (all unrelated and of different ages and backgrounds) living in harmony in one room.

Initially I would let them out individually from the cage, and they would all get to know each other by climbing on each other's cages.

I am lucky to let them have the whole room, and after I'd several months I felt comfortable with letting them out all day to play,
and then all the time...I no longer close the cages.
They have decided who sleeps with who and where and recently even swapped places :D

Surprisingly two of the males are best buddies, and one is a wild that survived a car strike. :dono

Sometimes I hear a "difference of opinion" going on but it's usually minor and about a nut. :rotfl

It did take time and patience to work them to where I felt comfortable with the current situation.
I think the amount of space they have is also important because there are many places to retreat
and get away from each other so they don't feel threatened by each other.

[djarenspace9]

Oh and I did neuter both males, not for concerns about aggression but to prevent them from defiling my sweet little Trixie :rotfl

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

ok just want an idea of what to expect if I happen to get another one.
thank you, good info for others too.:thumbsup

[djarenspace9]

You can practice with Bubu :thumbsup

[djarenspace9]

Oh, yeah I also forgot I have Bubu and Squirt in one room roaming freely too.
They decided to get along even though there is an age difference and a huge size difference.
Their cages were side by side.
One day Squirt moved into Bubu's hammock and kicked her out, so now Bubu sleeps in the other hammock.
I find it strange they share the cage but not the hammock...:thinking

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

is she a stay in the cage kind of girl
your bubu

[Anne]

Putting two or more NRs into one cage is no different than loading a release cage. Just make sure the new cage is big enough for all. If a cage is being reused make sure it is perfectly clean, replace all nest boxes, blankets, hammocks, boas, bowls and water bottles with clean and sterile ones. There can not be another squirrel's smell anywhere. Then put the squirrels in together. There will be fussing and cussing for awhile, just keep a good watch over them in case there is any type of teeth and claw action. If a nasty fight breaks out, they will have to be separated. I have never had but one problem, a long time ago. In two days they act like they were raised together!:D

[djarenspace9]

Not in her safe little world, but it took a long time to get her to feel safe coming out.
I expect she will stay in her cage during her visit, and that's fine.
As long as she has company and you can reach in for belly rubs and back scratches she will be happier than home alone.
If she does venture out it would be to hang out on top of her cage,
but I doubt it.
At least you can roll their cages side by side and see what Simon says :D

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Putting two or more NRs into one cage is no different than loading a release cage. Just make sure the new cage is big enough for all. If a cage is being reused make sure it is perfectly clean, replace all nest boxes, blankets, hammocks, boas, bowls and water bottles with clean and sterile ones. There can not be another squirrel's smell anywhere. Then put the squirrels in together. There will be fussing and cussing for awhile, just keep a good watch over them in case there is any type of teeth and claw action. If a nasty fight breaks out, they will have to be separated. I have never had but one problem, a long time ago. In two days they act like they were raised together!:D
Thanks Anne thats encouraging.
when i put my hand in his bed to scratch him, he takes my finger with his little paws and pulls my hand in and cuddles it, grooms it and when I try to pull it out he pulls in back in, (yes like the Godfather):rotfl
He wont sit on my lap and snuggle , only in his bed, which is now the new cube Auntie Jackie made him:D
It just seems he would really like another to cuddle

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Not in her safe little world, but it took a long time to get her to feel safe coming out.
I expect she will stay in her cage during her visit, and that's fine.
As long as she has company and you can reach in for belly rubs and back scratches she will be happier than home alone.
If she does venture out it would be to hang out on top of her cage,
but I doubt it.
At least you can roll their cages side by side and see what Simon says :D
Simon likes shoulder rides, does she?

[Rhapsody]

I think the attitude and personality of the Squirrels would probably be the deciding point in this kind of situation.........
Just remember: One Size DOES NOT Fit All, but its worth a try like Karen did with her 4 NR squirrels.

[lilidukes]

Thanks Anne thats encouraging.
when i put my hand in his bed to scratch him, he takes my finger with his little paws and pulls my hand in and cuddles it, grooms it and when I try to pull it out he pulls in back in, (yes like the Godfather):rotfl
He wont sit on my lap and snuggle , only in his bed, which is now the new cube Auntie Jackie made him:D
It just seems he would really like another to cuddle

If Simon likes cuddling with you he would rather it be you than another squirrel. I have had peace and harmony between NR's and I have had fights too. Some with injury.

Bringing another squirrel in can be stressful for him. You will also find that your 1 on 1 time with Simon will be cut much shorter. And if things don't work out do you have another room/area for your newbie to be?

I'm not saying don't what I mean is what if things don't work out???? Do you have a plan?

[Anne]

Very true that he will replace some love and attention to you to a cage mate.
My adult NRs all 5 years old or older all have a cage of their own. I have 2 paraplegic young males several months apart in age that I am planning on housing together when their cage mates are released come Spring. Although the older male may go to a new "forever" home.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

There is always a back up plan:thumbsup

was asking not just for me , thought it might be a good topic since we are starting to see new babies with injuries already.
Thank everyone:thumbsup

[djarenspace9]

I have had peace and harmony between NR's and I have had fights too. Some with injury.
Since it's a discussion...wondering if your NR's that fought were they inside a cage or free roaming?
I don't know anyone else that keeps multiple NR's roaming freely in one room like I do.
I feel that I have avoided problems because I would never lock anyone in with someone else.
When I have had to cage them temporarily or transport them, it's always in individual cages because I'm afraid stress or fear might trigger a problem.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

We see so many pictures of multiples in cages together and read so much about how social they are, it would be easy for someone to assume that you can just throw any old squirrel in with another.
I know I was getting that idea when I started reading here.
So many stories.....
so many squirrels......
and all so different but all so similar and
all so loved:thumbsup

[lilidukes]

Since it's a discussion...wondering if your NR's that fought were they inside a cage or free roaming?
I don't know anyone else that keeps multiple NR's roaming freely in one room like I do.
I feel that I have avoided problems because I would never lock anyone in with someone else.
When I have had to cage them temporarily or transport them, it's always in individual cages because I'm afraid stress or fear might trigger a problem.

free roaming