baby AGS not gaining after 2 weeks

[love4horses]

I have a baby AGS that I have been rasing for the last two weeks. He is doing well and I got him because he was lost from his nest in the heat and had injury to his nose. His nose is healing but he isnt gaining any weight. Any suggestions?mjs

[skarabrae]

What are you feeding him? Is he active? How old do you think he is?

ETA - what is an AGS?? I was thinking arctic ground squirrel, but you're in california and that's way out of their range... is it a California ground squirrel?

[Jackie in Tampa]

:Welcome :wave123
can you give more history?
what formula?
age?
can you post a pic?
someone with AGS knowledge will be here soon.:thumbsup

[love4horses]

AGS is antelope ground squirrel. They are small. I have been giving him free fed grain (same grain used in live traps, My mom does the surveys and thats how we found him) he was under a cactus. I have been using goats milk, green mush (if you havent heard of it, its great stuff look it up), baby food (veggies only, he loves it). I'm not sure how to post pictures on here. We are guessing he is about 4-6 weeks old. I keep in a heating pad 24 hours a day. He has days were he is very active other days just sleeps. He does his chirping and he plays when i put my hand in to get him. Its really cute. But I dont know why he isnt gaining. He was 25 grams and now is 22 grams. He comes when I call him too.:thankyou

[skarabrae]

Here's the goat milk recipe that is recommended here

1 cup goats milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup dannon all natural vanilla yogurt

I wonder if it's as simple as he's not getting enough calories... I'd try fortifying the goatmilk with the cream and yogurt and see what happens.

Going to look up the green mush :D

PS Antelope ground squirrel huh? Learn something new every day!

ETA - I don't know if an AGS is more like a chipmunk or a tree squirrel, but at 4-6 weeks both my chipmunk and my squirrels were taking straight formula (Fox Valley 20/50) and some block, and the chippy (they grow up faster) was also eating lots of different vegetables and fruit, and some seeds.

[love4horses]

ok perfect i will do that today. I figured he wasnt getting enough to. i get him to eat every few hours and he eats till his belly is nice and round. Green mush has done wonders for us. I have used with with sick guinea pigs and rats, etc and they always come back healthy from it. Its really good stuff for the pets that are veggie lovers.

[love4horses]

AGS is more like a chipmunk. I think because of his nose injury he had a hard time smelling his food so he wasnt eating. He now munches on grain but not enough to live on. His entire nose was scabbed over and part of his bottom lip, once the scabs fell off part of his lips are gone so he looks buck tooth, very sad. But its healing and I have been putting neosporin several times a day to help with the healing. But I will try out the new formula you have me for him. I really want to do every for this little guy. My mom has a tree squirrel that was curled in a ball in the rain and she raised her and she is a big fat healthy girl today, so I have alot of hope for this little one I got, that I recently named Scrat from Ice Age.:jump

[skarabrae]

Poor little fella! He's very lucky to have you! :Love_Icon

One other thing... do you have him on some heat? (electric heating pad on low under 1/2 of his cage) If not, he could be burning more calories just trying to maintain his body temp.

[love4horses]

Yes he is on heat. I have it on medium cause low you cant feel through the cage and on low he gets cold. I had a wheel in his cage and he was usig it but he was sleeping in it and not on heat so i had to take the wheel out. I love this little guy.

[stosh2010]

AGS is antelope ground squirrel.

I'm not sure how to post pictures on here. We are guessing he is about 4-6 weeks old.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30

Try following this link...it should direct you to posting your photos...

PHOTOS ---really help the rehabbers make better suggestions....for nutrition and health.

Hope all goes well...Fox Valley formula is a miracle for most small critters...

[love4horses]

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1865624913400.204138.1024340497&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=3611903729279&set=a.1865624913400.204138.1024340497&type=3&theater

[love4horses]

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1865624913400.204138.1024340497&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=3611903729279&set=a.1865624913400.204138.1024340497&type=3&theater

Well i tried to post the one from my facebook not sure it working:thinking

[stosh2010]

I found some pics on the internet--does your guy look like these ??

################################################## #########################################
Antelope Ground Squirrel

Description
Physical Characteristics
The San Joaquin antelope squirrel is dull yellowish-brown or buffy-clay in color on upper body and outer surfaces of the legs with a white belly and a white streak down each side of its body in the fashion of other antelope squirrels.[2] The underside of the tail is a buffy white with black edges.[2] Males are approximately 9.8 inches and females are approximately 9.4 inches in length.[2]
Breeding
Studies by Hawbecker provide abundant information on breeding and the life cycle of Nelson's antelope squirrel.[3][4][5] They breed in late winter to early spring and have nearly all their young in March.[5] Once pregnant, gestation lasts a little less than a month.[3] The young do not emerge from their dens until approximately the first week of April.[4] Nelson's antelope squirrel has only one breeding season, which is timed appropriately so that the young are born during the time of year when green vegetation is the most abundant.[4]
Growth
Weaning is thought to start or be completed even before the young emerge.[3] Once above ground, young are seen foraging for food independently.[3] During the weaning period, the mother feeds alone and ignores any attempt of the young trying to nuzzle or nurse from her.[3] A female mother will sometimes spend the night in a different den if necessary.[3] By early to mid-May the young squirrels have had their juvenile pelage for some time and begin to show the changes into adult pelage.[3] By summer, the adult pelage is present.[3] Once an individual has reached adulthood it is difficult to tell differences in age.[4] Nelson's antelope squirrel is a short-lived species that often does not survive to a year.[4] However, there have been several individuals that have lived more than four years in the wild.[4]
It is omnivorous, feeding mostly on green plants during the winter and insects and carrion when these are available. It occasionally caches food. The squirrels live in small underground familial colonies on sandy, easily excavated grasslands in isolated locations
Diet
It is omnivorous, feeding on seeds, green vegetation, insects, and dried animal matter.[7] It occasionally caches food. Redstem fialree (Erodium cicutarium) and brome grass (Bromus rubens) are important food items for the squirrels.[5] However, their diet may differ depending on the time of day or time of year. Green vegetation is the most common diet type from December to mid-April because it is the most abundant during this period.[3] Likewise, insects make up more than 90% of the squirrel's diet from mid-April to December because they are more abundant.[3] Although seeds are available for most of the year, it is not the preferable diet of the squirrels.[3] They will choose insects or green vegetation when available over seeds, even if the seeds are more abundant and easier to access.[3] Some speculate that this could be due to the higher amount of water in insects and green vegetation, which would be necessary for the species to survive in such a hot, dry climate.[3] Unfortunately for the Nelson's antelope squirrel, there is not an abundant water source nearby.[8] Under laboratory conditions, the squirrels readily accept water.[8] However, they can also survive at least 7 months in the shade without water.[8] At the end of 7 months they appeared relatively healthy and not at all emaciated.[8]

[stosh2010]

I couldn't view your pics....

If you continue to have problems with posting pics...send photos to my e-mail and I will gladly post them here.
stosh@jpcfl.com

[CritterMom]

Try to get a weight on the baby. He needs to be eating 5-7% of his body weight at each feeding. For example, if he weighs 50 grams, you would be giving him 2.5 to 3.5mg per feeding.

I think the formula may help. Goats milk is a wondrous thing but it is very lean and does not have the fat that these babies need to grow. That is why the heavy whipping cream is added. The yogurt will add fat too if you buy the full fat style yogurt (look for Stoneyfield Yobaby - it is a full fat yogurt).

[love4horses]

I mentioned in my posts earlier that he was 25 grams and is now 22 grams I will be mixing his formula today as soon as i get to the store in a bit. I agree that he needs more fat. Thanks so much for all the information.

[love4horses]

I couldn't view your pics....

If you continue to have problems with posting pics...send photos to my e-mail and I will gladly post them here.
stosh@jpcfl.com

I'm sending you a couple of pictures right now. thanks so much for posting for me.:thankyou

[Jackie in Tampa]

Found this for the GREEN MUSH!
You take good care of your own health through a healthy diet and supplementation, so why not do the same for your beloved companion animals? Ideal for any mammal (including hamsters, mice, ferrets and other critters!), Green Mush is an extremely potent and comprehensive array of nature’s most nutritive and cleansing superfoods, grown and processed to maximize their benefits for your companion animals’ health. Organically grown, Green Mush is unlike traditional multi-vitamin/mineral products as it is exceptionally absorbable and contains thousands of phytonutrients, protein, and amino acids. Either mix with the usual food the animal will eat or follow the easy recipe on back of the bottle and you’ll be doing all you can to offer optimal health for your companions. 100% of profits from this supplement are donated to animal rescue! Available in 5 oz. bottle for $23.95, and 10 oz. bottle for $39.95.

Ingredients: Whole leaf barley and wheat grasses, spirulina, broken cell wall chlorella, horsetail herb, nettle leaf, burdock root, alfalfa leaf juice, dandelion leaf juice, kamut grass juice, barley grass juice, oat grass juice, sea vegetables (Nova Scotia dulse and Icelandic kelp), carob pod, Nopal cactus, plant source digestive enzyme complex (protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, alpha-galactosidase, bromelain, papain), CoQ10 (40mg per 9.5g or 13.4g per teaspoon), ginger root. Also contains a comprehensive probiotic mixture of beneficial organisms including A. Agilis, L. Acidophilus, R. Arrhizus, DDS-I Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Bulgaricus, A. Brasilienese, B. Brenis, P. Chrysosporium, A. Citreus, L. Casei, P. Calcis, S. Cellulase, P. Denitrificans, S. Faecium, S. Fradiae, P. Flourescens, A. Globiformis, S. Griseoflavus, P. Gelatic, B. Lipolyticum, A. Luteus, A. Lipoferum, A. Lwofii, B. Laterosporous, P. Marinoglutionsa, B. Macerans, P. Nigraclens, P. Putida, L. Plantarum, B. Pumilus, B. Polymyxa, B. Stationis, L. Salivarius, B. Subtilus, B. Succinogenes, A. Simplex, B. Subtilus, S. Thermopolis, A. Terreus, M. Verrucaria, T. Viride, K. Zopfit

[love4horses]

You take good care of your own health through a healthy diet and supplementation, so why not do the same for your beloved companion animals? Ideal for any mammal (including hamsters, mice, ferrets and other critters!), Green Mush is an extremely potent and comprehensive array of nature’s most nutritive and cleansing superfoods, grown and processed to maximize their benefits for your companion animals’ health. Organically grown, Green Mush is unlike traditional multi-vitamin/mineral products as it is exceptionally absorbable and contains thousands of phytonutrients, protein, and amino acids. Either mix with the usual food the animal will eat or follow the easy recipe on back of the bottle and you’ll be doing all you can to offer optimal health for your companions. 100% of profits from this supplement are donated to animal rescue! Available in 5 oz. bottle for $23.95, and 10 oz. bottle for $39.95.

Ingredients: Whole leaf barley and wheat grasses, spirulina, broken cell wall chlorella, horsetail herb, nettle leaf, burdock root, alfalfa leaf juice, dandelion leaf juice, kamut grass juice, barley grass juice, oat grass juice, sea vegetables (Nova Scotia dulse and Icelandic kelp), carob pod, Nopal cactus, plant source digestive enzyme complex (protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, alpha-galactosidase, bromelain, papain), CoQ10 (40mg per 9.5g or 13.4g per teaspoon), ginger root. Also contains a comprehensive probiotic mixture of beneficial organisms including A. Agilis, L. Acidophilus, R. Arrhizus, DDS-I Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Bulgaricus, A. Brasilienese, B. Brenis, P. Chrysosporium, A. Citreus, L. Casei, P. Calcis, S. Cellulase, P. Denitrificans, S. Faecium, S. Fradiae, P. Flourescens, A. Globiformis, S. Griseoflavus, P. Gelatic, B. Lipolyticum, A. Luteus, A. Lipoferum, A. Lwofii, B. Laterosporous, P. Marinoglutionsa, B. Macerans, P. Nigraclens, P. Putida, L. Plantarum, B. Pumilus, B. Polymyxa, B. Stationis, L. Salivarius, B. Subtilus, B. Succinogenes, A. Simplex, B. Subtilus, S. Thermopolis, A. Terreus, M. Verrucaria, T. Viride, K. Zopfit

So what is your opinion? Just curious, but its great stuff i always have it on hand. And if you shop around you can find it cheaper. I bought the 1oz sample bottles because it was cheaper than one big bottle. I havent tried it on myself but works for the pets, and i think its great stuff.

[love4horses]

So what is your opinion? Just curious, but its great stuff i always have it on hand. And if you shop around you can find it cheaper. I bought the 1oz sample bottles because it was cheaper than one big bottle. I havent tried it on myself but works for the pets, and i think its great stuff.


I do also love the fact this one you found goes to a rescue, thats great.:thankyou

[stosh2010]

Here are three of our newest Ground Squirrel on TSB...sooooo tiny....

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>send ME more pics--if you want to...

[Jackie in Tampa]

I do grey sqs only..although I have rescued a PD before...

Greys do not require any hay type grasses, grains etc...and do not digest it well.
I would have to research this before I could form an opinion..
Pappy has ground sq experience..:thumbsup

just seeing the pics, cutie pie!

[skippy]

Up here in Northern California we have the California Ground Squirrel (Spermaohilus Beecheyi)

Eyes open at 4 weeks
Wean at 8-10 weeks

4-5 weeks old 60-70 grams
5-6 weeks old 70-110 grams
6-7 weeks old 110 - 130 grams
8-9 weeks old 200-280 grams
10-12 weeks old 300g +

We follow the same protocol for the ground squirrels as we do for the gray squirrels. They do wean themselves earlier about 8-10 weeks.

Feed 5x a day every 3.5 hours until they are over 100 grams. They should gain at least 3 grams a day.

At 5 -6 weeks old feed 4x a day; 7-8 weeks, 2-3 x a day + begin soft foods and squirrel block, 8-9 weeks 1-2x a day plus fruits, veggies, seeds, grains, natural foods for your area.

You can reduce the number of feedings per day of Fox Valley Formula if they are eating their solid food well and having good weight gains.

They should be in a basket with a lid and plenty of blankets to hide under until they are 4 weeks old.

4-5 weeks old (eyes open) set up a wire cage with habitat similar to what they will be released in. Give them a nest box with 2 holes in it 2.5 -3" holes. Oatmeal box, coffee or juice cans are good with end open filled with nesting meaterial. Duct tape the edges securely.
Babies can use a cardboard papertowel tube. Give them toilet paper, soft kleenex or blanket pieces for shredding and nest making.
Older babies like 3" round 18" pieces of PVC pipe to tunnel i.

Always keep part of the top of cage covered with a towel or blanket for seculusion. Ground squirrels are VERY shy and secretive.

At 8-9 weeks use a large horizontal cage (2-3 feet high x 3-4 feet long)
with a 4-5" deep base like the ones used for ferrets and guniea pigs. outside in a protected area where you can check on them frequently.

Fill and cover the bottom with 4-5 inches of native dirt for digging and hay or dry debris that is native to their area. Add branches, logs, large rocks and any other natural items you would find in their habitat.

Hang a small water bottle oustside and refresh daily.

Get 2nd piece of 1-1.5 foot long piece of PVC for future use when it's time to release.

Clean most of the old food out daily but leave some of it in that they have buried. They will bury all their food in the bowls under dirt and then dig it up to eat it.

Ground squirrels like apples, berries, peaches, plums, but more ground vegies and fruits like watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, mixed baby greens, spinich, lots of green leafies, small pieces of corn on the cob, mushrooms, nuts of all kinds, also seeds like pumpkin, sunflower. Not too many sunflower or peanuts. BAD for bone development in all young squirrels.

At 8 weeks start more natural habitat foods for your area. Where we live they like pine cones, pinenuts, dandelions, greens and roots, any bulbs, fresh alfalfa, manzanita branches with berries, grasses WITH roots, corn, rice, oatmeal wheat kernals.

Release about 3 months or 2 weeks after FULLY weaned.

Need to bury a wooden nest box in area adjacent to, but NOT IN, another ground squirrel colony with 2 PVC pipe "tunnels" running up to the surface from the buried nest box. These are temporary tunnels as it takes several weeks for them to build their own network of tunnels in the ground and to store food.

Continue to leave food by the tunnel entrance for about a week

They must be release before colder weather sets in but I'm sure it's always toasty in your area.

Hope this helps.:)

[CritterMom]

Likely similar foods but the antelope ground squirrels are teeny by comparison to the big ol' California ground squirrels. He is just adorable - let's start to beef him up.

A word of caution: He has been eating very lean. You want to add the fat but I fear that suddenly dumping very rich formula into him may cause some diarrhea.

The official formula is:

3 parts goat's milk
1 part heavy cream
1 part yogurt

I would do a couple feedings where you are only using about 25% of that quantity of cream, then if things go well, boost the cream amount a little bit at a time until you are up to the 3:1:1 ratio. He does NOT need the runs!

[stosh2010]

Up here in Northern California we have the California Ground Squirrel (Spermaohilus Beecheyi)

Hope this helps.:)
Great info...Sounds like this guy has some serious weight gaining to do...


Feed 5x a day every 3.5 hours until they are over 100 grams. They should gain at least 3 grams a day.

TSB will help you at every step.....

[love4horses]

yes he needs weight gaining big time which is why i came on here for some help. I will work on the formula thing with him till he can handle it. Thanks everyone for all the info and for posting my photos. These are small squirrels they dont get very big but he should be gaining and he hasnt so I plan to get that fat in him ASAP today. I will keep you posted on him. Hes munching on some fresh spinich right now.

[love4horses]

Great info...Sounds like this guy has some serious weight gaining to do...



TSB will help you at every step.....


I feed him every chance I can as long as he will take it. It ends up more than 5x but sometimes he will take very little sometimes drinks up like crazy. But I will mix the formula for him today, I have kids i'm watching they will go home soon and I will run to the store for the cream, and yogurt.

[love4horses]

Likely similar foods but the antelope ground squirrels are teeny by comparison to the big ol' California ground squirrels. He is just adorable - let's start to beef him up.

A word of caution: He has been eating very lean. You want to add the fat but I fear that suddenly dumping very rich formula into him may cause some diarrhea.

The official formula is:

3 parts goat's milk
1 part heavy cream
1 part yogurt

I would do a couple feedings where you are only using about 25% of that quantity of cream, then if things go well, boost the cream amount a little bit at a time until you are up to the 3:1:1 ratio. He does NOT need the runs!

I agree I will start very easy and increase alittle at a time. Thanks so much.

[love4horses]

I raise two ground squirrels also. They dont get to nice ever, at least these two didnt. They were released once they got big enough. My cats had them as a baby. This little guy is super sweet and jumps right into my hand.

[Jackie in Tampa]

A word of caution: He has been eating very lean. You want to add the fat but I fear that suddenly dumping very rich formula into him may cause some diarrhea

I would do a couple feedings where you are only using about 25% of that quantity of cream, then if things go well, boost the cream amount a little bit at a time until you are up to the 3:1:1 ratio. He does NOT need the runs!


actually I would make the formula to specs..and dilute the entire formula for a few feedings..
remember GM will rancid fast..
I make make into frozen cubes and thaw as needed...not with the extra cream and yogurt though, just freeze GM plain/by itself.
Made formula is good for 72 hours in the fridge, then pitch.
Never reheat formula...
never nuke formula, nuke water in mug and float formula in a small jar or shot glass. Not hot, just slightly warmer than your wrist.
Hold the baby upright, never tilt/lean back like a human baby.
I am sure you know all this, but I am a worry wart.
If milk does come out his nose, aspiration, gently tip nose to floor and allow fluids to exit lungs/nasal..we would hate to have pnuemonia in such a small little sweetie!:Love_Icon
:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown

[CritterMom]

actually I would make the formula to specs..and dilute the entire formula for a few feedings..
remember GM will rancid fast..
I make make into frozen cubes and thaw as needed...not with the extra cream and yogurt though, just freeze GM plain/by itself.
Made formula is good for 72 hours in the fridge, then pitch.
Never reheat formula...
never nuke formula, nuke water in mug and float formula in a small jar or shot glass. Not hot, just slightly warmer than your wrist.
Hold the baby upright, never tilt/lean back like a human baby.
I am sure you know all this, but I am a worry wart.
If milk does come out his nose, aspiration, gently tip nose to floor and allow fluids to exit lungs/nasal..we would hate to have pnuemonia in such a small little sweetie!:Love_Icon
:bowdown :bowdown :bowdown :bowdown


Considering that the full name is "Jackie in Tampa's Goat's Milk Recipe" I think you can figure out who to listen to!:rotfl :rotfl

[pappy1264]

Jackie knows.....love the gm recipe! I would order fox valley formula, as well, and do work up to a 50/50 gm recipe/fox valley.

[love4horses]

Once again thank you everyone for the help. He has been doing good on the formula he was light again this morning but this evening he is at 27 grams and this is the most he has been yet so there is hope and looks like he's heading to that weight gain that he really needs. He loves the sun and is so funny, he was sitting up trying to threaten me today, I laughed put my hand in there and he jumps right on. I tried to put him back in his cage and he refused to leave my hand I would put him down and before I moved my hand he was back on me like no mom i want to stay with you. He is such a character. Hope he keeps on the road to growing up healthy. :jump

[love4horses]

I have ordered some of the fox valley formula. Hope it comes quick and i will start trying that also. Seems to be doing great. :thumbsup

[love4horses]

Jackie knows.....love the gm recipe! I would order fox valley formula, as well, and do work up to a 50/50 gm recipe/fox valley.


the formula is a 20/50 how do i get it to a 50/50?

[Jackie in Tampa]

20/50 is the actual name of the FoxValley Nutrition Product we want you to use...
the 20/50 is the fat to nutrition ratio in contents of the product.
Pappy means when you DO GET THE FV,
to mix half GMformula and half FV :D
we would love an update and some pics!:poke

[love4horses]

20/50 is the actual name of the FoxValley Nutrition Product we want you to use...
the 20/50 is the fat to nutrition ratio in contents of the product.
Pappy means when you DO GET THE FV,
to mix half GMformula and half FV :D
we would love an update and some pics!:poke

ok thanks i was confused but got it now. I havent been able to post pics but he is doing very well. Someone else offered to post them cause I couldnt get them to post I dont know why. If she doesnt mind I will get new pics and email them so she can post for me. I am waiting to hear from fox valley to pay for my order. :thankyou

[stosh2010]

Three new pics from today...

so she can post for me
P.S. Stosh is a Dude.... ha !

[astra]

omg this is one of the cutest tiniest fuzzy babies! I don't even think of a mammal looking at this cuteness, I think of a tiny delicate bug:)

[love4horses]

Three new pics from today...

P.S. Stosh is a Dude.... ha !


OMG so sorry. HE!!!! I wont make that mistake again. I feel dumb Ooppps Well thanks so much stosh.:thankyou

[CritterMom]

OMG! I want! Ship him to me immediately! Look at that face!!!!

[love4horses]

OMG! I want! Ship him to me immediately! Look at that face!!!!

LOL yes he is. I love this little guy. His personality is so awesome. He loves us. I get him and he wants to try to act tough but then he is like oh ok its you and jumps in my hand. Its so funny. He's such a sweet heart.

[love4horses]

Scrat has been up most of the day and munching on food in his cage. I'm so excited cause this is big since I havent been able to get him to eat on his own but he is doing awesome. :jump

[Jackie in Tampa]

:worthless
Scrat has been up most of the day and munching on food in his cage. I'm so excited cause this is big since I havent been able to get him to eat on his own but he is doing awesome. :jump

[love4horses]

[QUOTE=Jackie in Tampa]:worthless[/QUOTE

Worthless????really I had someone post pics twice for me yet my thread is worthless! I'm not sure how to feel about this quote!:dono

[CritterMom]

[QUOTE=Jackie in Tampa]:worthless[/QUOTE

Worthless????really I had someone post pics twice for me yet my thread is worthless! I'm not sure how to feel about this quote!:dono


Oh! That isn't a slam - we just live and breathe for pics and NO QUANTITY of pics that you can post without actually quitting your job and putting him on live streaming video 24/7 will truly satisfy us! Which is why there are SEVERAL of the "This thread is useless without pics" smileys for us to chose from...

[skippy]

Love for Horses,
First time I saw that I thought "Geez, that's kind of rude". But soon realized it was never meant to be a personal put down.
Everyone just loves to see pictures.
You could never post enough pictures to satisfy the squirrel lovers here.
We care about you and the critters you are saving, raising and loving.
Love, Love, Love to share in your journey via pictures and posts.

[skarabrae]

love4horses, it's meant to be tongue in cheek...

So hows the little gaffer doing? :D

[love4horses]

Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't think it was meant to be mean but wanted to clarify that. Hes doing great. He doesn't seem to want formula as much but always munching on the variety of thing in his cage. He is gaining not a lot but these are small squirrels so as long as hes gaining and not losing I'm happy. Hes a character. I have two kids and watching my friends 3 and they love watching scrat play in his cage. I will do pics as much as I can with 5 kids here most of the week its hard to get pictures of him. I have a few more I will try to get them posted asap. Hes so small all the kids swam to touch and hold him so when they are here I only take him out to feed. I don't wanna chance him getting hurt by the kids so once they go home he sits with me and loves sitting on my shoulder or playing in my hair. Hes been nibbling on my hands which is a new thing he does.:thankyou

[love4horses]

[QUOTE=love4horses]


Oh! That isn't a slam - we just live and breathe for pics and NO QUANTITY of pics that you can post without actually quitting your job and putting him on live streaming video 24/7 will truly satisfy us! Which is why there are SEVERAL of the "This thread is useless without pics" smileys for us to chose from...

If I could webcam him you all would love him to death. Hes funny.

[astra]

[QUOTE=Jackie in Tampa]:worthless[/QUOTE

Worthless????really I had someone post pics twice for me yet my thread is worthless! I'm not sure how to feel about this quote!:dono
:rotfl :rotfl :rotfl
CritterMom said it all: PICS are EVERYTHING! Especially, when it is something as cute as your little miniature one!
Two pics? Three pics?... When it comes to pics:' One is too many (because it gets us hooked immediately) and a thousand is not enough (self-explanatory):poke :grouphug

it's a nice way of saying: you are slacking on pics! And we need them A LOT!!!!!

[CritterMom]

Are you giving him any kind of a rodent block for food? If not, I think you should. These littles have a different diet than our tree squirrels do, but they also have a strong need for a specific bunch of vitamins and minerals that can be difficult to duplicate but are available by feeding rodent block.

I visit the Tucson Sonoran Desert Museum every spring when I visit my mom and have noticed that they feed their prairie dogs, Harris' ground squirrels, and others the same Harlan Teklad lab block that forms part of my tree squirrel's diet. They are available to the public from www.thecraftyrat.com. It is a weird site - go to the "Flat Rate Shipping" section. You want the 2014 Harlan Teklad Lab Blocks - they are very reasonable.

He's so flipping cute he makes my heart hurt...

Edit - here is the stuff: http://www.thecraftyrat.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?

[stosh2010]

I'm READY to POST some more PICS...for you....Send 'Em To Me............
( We have to SATISFY these Photo Junkies--we have on TSB...I'm ONE of them...Ha ! )

[pappy1264]

OMG...how cute!!!!

[love4horses]

I'm READY to POST some more PICS...for you....Send 'Em To Me............
( We have to SATISFY these Photo Junkies--we have on TSB...I'm ONE of them...Ha ! )

I just emailed you pics again. Thank you so much.

[stosh2010]

ATTENTION..Photo Lovers....
Here are TWO New Ones... of the tiny little SCRAT

---and if you guys are "nice" hee hee....I have TWO more....

[astra]

Gosh, this tiny little thing is just too much . . .what an absolutely precious little someone:Love_Icon :)

[astra]

---and if you guys are "nice" hee hee....I have TWO more....
i think, everyone is trying to be really nice here... patiently :poke waiting for two more

[stosh2010]

i think, everyone is trying to be really nice here... patiently :poke waiting for two more
Wait NO MORE......

[astra]

:thankyou stosh, i just can't get over how tiny and delicate he is!
WHat kind of ground squirrel is he? How big will he get?
And he definitely has one of the cutest noses:)

[stosh2010]

:thankyou stosh, i just can't get over how tiny and delicate he is!
WHat kind of ground squirrel is he? How big will he get?
And he definitely has one of the cutest noses:)
Antelope Ground Squirrel

Physical Characteristics
The San Joaquin antelope squirrel is dull yellowish-brown or buffy-clay in color on upper body and outer surfaces of the legs with a white belly and a white streak down each side of its body in the fashion of other antelope squirrels.[2] The underside of the tail is a buffy white with black edges.[2] Males are approximately 9.8 inches and females are approximately 9.4 inches in length.[2]


POST # 13 has more INFO...

[skarabrae]

Oh my sweet LORD! He's SO precious! :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[CritterMom]

So I have a question. It looks like his little front teeth are exposed all the time. Is this normal or a result of his nose-first landing?

[love4horses]

So I have a question. It looks like his little front teeth are exposed all the time. Is this normal or a result of his nose-first landing?

Its due to his nose injury. I am hoping for it to heal but it may be permanant. Hard to say at this point, but no he isnt suppose to have his teeth showing, thats why i named him scrat. But he's still adorable and is doing great with this condition.

[love4horses]

ATTENTION..Photo Lovers....
Here are TWO New Ones... of the tiny little SCRAT

---and if you guys are "nice" hee hee....I have TWO more....

Thank you so much for posting for me again. OH and i LOVe the quotes you added to the pictures, to funny. I love my baby scrat. :thankyou

[love4horses]

Scrat is a whooping 28 grams today. LOL Thats the highest weight he has been so far. I also sent a few more pictures to stosh. Hope you enjoy hehe

[stosh2010]

Thank you so much for posting for me again. OH and i LOVe the quotes you added to the pictures, to funny. I love my baby scrat. :thankyou


Snack Time for SCRAT....

[stosh2010]

ALMOST a MONTH ---no pics, no news ????

UPDATE Request !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLease...PLease...PLease...

[stosh2010]

SAD News...
the Cute Little Antelope Ground Squirrel ( AGS ) has gone to the Rainbow Bridge...
Scrat...was doing OK for awhile, when suddenly he got bloated, and in a short time he passed. Elizabeth is heart broken and asked me to post this.

Thank You, Elizabeth, for caring for the Little Guy...he knew love, and warmth and protection, free from hunger and fear , and now is in the company of countless other fuzzers...Running Free.

[Fireweed]

Oh, so sad. I saw this thread when you posted last night, Stosh. Read through it and fell in love with little Scrat, hoping for good news. :(

Elizabeth :grouphug Scrat :grouphug

[stosh2010]

Farewell.............. Tiny Fuzzy Dude....

[HRT4SQRLS]

Awww :( . So sorry Elizabeth. Farewell little Scrat. :sad

[CritterMom]

Oh, no! This sweet little muffin - I fell in love with him. I am so sorry to hear this.

He got the chance to know love though...RIP little Scrat. :grouphug

[astra]

oh how sad... how sad...
run free happy and healthy, little Scrat, till you and Elizabeth meet again....:grouphug